THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


. 


Jtctt),  (gunboat,  Hospital,  anfo  frison; 

I  -  o,  / 

THRILLING  RECORDS 

OF   THE 

HEROISM,  ENDURANCE,  AND  PATRIOTISM 

DISPLAYED  IN  THE 

UNION  ARMY  AND  NAVY  DURING  THE  GREAT  REBELLION. 


BY 
M!RS.  F.  -A.. 

AUTHOR  OP  "LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLK,"  "THE  YOUNG  CAPTAIH,* 
"  OCR  MARTYRED  PRESIDENT,"  ETC. 


"  Be  a  hero  In  the  strife."  —  LONGFELLOW. 
'  The  Lord  hath  done  great  things  for  us,  whereof  we  are  glad."  —  Pa.  cxxrl.  8. 


BOSTON: 
C.    M.    DINSMOOR    AND    COMPANY. 

1866. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1865, 

BY  MRS.  P.  A.  HANAFORD, 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court.pf  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


STEREOTYPED  AND  PRINTED  BY 

GEO.  C.  RAND   &  AVERY,  No.  3,  Cornhill. 


£656 


To 

H3SA21TS 

IN  OUR 

Rescued  Land; 
TO  ALL  WHO  APPRECIATE  THE 

NOBLE  SELF -SACRIFICE,   PATRIOTIC  SENTIMENTS,  HEROIC  EFFOKTS, 
PATIENT  ENDURANCE,  AND  SUBLIME  ACHIEVEMENTS, 

O£  OUR 

UNION    SOLDIERS, 

WHICH    HAVE    CROWNED    THEM    WITH 

IMMORTAL  HONOR; 

AND     ESPECIALLY  TO  THOSE  WHOSE  DEAR  ONES 

DIED      FOR     FREEDOM; 

THIS 

RECORD  OF  THRILLING  SCENES 

IN 

FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON, 
is  NOW 


550211 


PKEFAOE. 


IN  the  days  of  chivalry,  when  troubadours  sang  in 
ladies'  bowers,  the  heroic  deeds  of  brave  and  gallant 
knights  were  often  the  theme  of  the  minstrel's  ballad; 
and  earlier  yet,  in  the  classic  eras,  the  exploits  of 
mighty  warriors  were  told  in  song  and  story.  Even 
the  sacred  writings  show  that  this  was  customary  in 
the  childhood  of  the  world ;  and  the  triumphal  song  of 
Deborah,  the  majestic  utterances  of  the  prophets,  and 
the  unsurpassed  poetry  of  the  monarch-bard,  are  evi- 
dences that  bravery,  heroism,  fortitude,  and  the 
mighty  arm  of  God  displayed  in  the  hour  of  military 
triumph,  were  deemed  the  legitimate  and  worthy 
themes  of  the  poet  and  historian. 

The  same  idea  prevails  in  our  own  day,  while  we 
have  almost  infinitely  greater  facilities  for  making 
world-wide  the  name  and  fame  of  our  gallant  heroes. 
The  printing-press,  like  a  thousand-tongued  trouba- 
dour, sings  the  praise  not  only  of  the  men  who 
fought  at  Thermopylae  and  Waterloo,  at  Lexington 
and  Bunker  Hill,  but  sings  also,  and  with  clarion 
notes,  of  the  champions  of  liberty,  no  less  brave  and 
patriotic,  who  battled  for  the  right  upon  the  sangui- 
nary fields  of  Bull  Run,  Ball's  Bluff,  Antietam,  Gettys- 
burg, Pittsburg  Landing,  Shiloh,  and  many  another 
field  of  blood  and  glory,  as  well  as  on  the  decks  of 
our  monitors  and  gunboats,  which  have  thundered  at 
doors  which  opened  wide  only  at  their  summons. 


6  PREFACE. 

Principles,  and  not  mere  preferences,  were  at  stake ; 
and  our  heroes  fought  as  if  they  believed  this. 

It  is  to  keep  in  memory  some  of  the  heroic  deeds  of 
daring,  the  Christian  acts  of  self-denial,  the  unshrink- 
ing fortitude,  the  patient  endurance,  the  pure  patriot- 
ism, of  "our  brave  boys  "  who  followed  the  "  dear  old 
flag,"  that  this  volume  is  prepared. 

It  aims  to  give  a  graphic  picture  of  Spartan  virtues 
and  chivalrous  exploits  as  displayed  in  the  army  and 
navy  of  the  Union  during  the  dark  and  terrible  years 
of  the  great  Rebellion. 

The  material  has  been  gathered  from  various 
sources,  and  the  anecdotes  are  believed  to  be  mainly 
authentic.  Some  of  them  are  altogether  new.  As 
such,  they  are  presented  to  a  public  that  enjoys  truth- 
ful pictures  of  thrilling  events  Tind  incidents,  with  the 
hope  that  each  one  as  he  reads  will  be  led  to  lift  up 
his  heart  in  devout  recognition  of  that  Hand  which 
has  guided  the  nation  through  seas  of  unexampled 
horror  and  suffering  to  the  harbor  of  a  peace,  that,  we 
trust,  will  be  as  permanent  as  it  is  acceptable. 

Other  writers  have  collected  anecdotes,  and  pre- 
pared valuable  works  for  reading  and  reference :  this 
is  designed  for  a  niche  yet  unoccupied,  as  it  is  thought, 
and  is  sent  forth  with  the  humble  yet  sincere  hope, 
that  it  may  do  its  part  in  fostering  a  true  sense  of  the 
real  dignity  of  humanity,  the  value  of  free  institutions, 
and  the  immeasurable  worth  of  Christian  principles,  so 
that  God  shall  be  honored,  and  his  laws  revered,  till 
his  kingdom  shall  come,  his  will  shall  be  done,  and 
a  ransomed  world  sing  evermore,  Te  Deum  lauda- 

mus  ! 

P.  A.  H. 

EEADIKG,  MASS. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PAG*. 

RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT  UPRISING 9 


CHAPTER  H. 
COURAGE,  BBAVEBY,  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD        ...      48 

CHAPTER  HI. 
GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY 80 


CHAPTER  IV. 

BATTLE-SCENES  IN  CONNECTION  WITH  THE  POTOMAC  ARMY    .       .     169 

CHAPTER  V. 

BATTLE-SCENES  IN  THE  WEST  AND  SOUTH-WEST 244 

CHAPTER  VI. 

HOSPITAL-SCENES ,284 


CHAPTER  VII. 

PRISON-HORRORS     . 


8  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER 

PAOX. 
SKETCHES  or  CHRISTIAN  LIFE  is  THE  AKMY  AND  NAVY  ...     325 

CHAPTER  IX. 
LAST  HOURS  OF  SOME  OF  FREEDOM'S  CHAMPIONS        ....     336 

CHAPTER  X. 
THE  MARTYR  OF  MARTYRS  .  .369 


CHAPTER  I. 

RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT  UPRISING. 

"  Toll,  Roland,  toll 
This  side  the  sea ! 
No  longer  they,  but  we, 
Have  now  such  need  of  thee  I 

Toll,  Roland,  toll ! 
And  let  thy  iron  throat 
Ring  out  its  warning  note 
Till  Freedom's  perils  be  outbraved, 
And  Freedom's  flag,  wherever  waved, 
Shall  overshadow  none  enslaved. 
Toll  1. till  from  either  ocean's  strand 
Brave  men  shall  clasp  each  other's  hand, 
And  shout,  '  God  save  our  native  land  I' 
And  love  the  land  which  God  hath  saved. 
Toll,  Roland,  toll!" 

THEODORE  TILTON. 

IE  American  nation  stands  foremost  among  the 
nations  of  the  earth.  Such,  at  least,  is  the  opinion 
of  the  American  people ;  and  if  the  Icelander,  in 
his  rugged  land  and  inhospitable  clime,  is  allowed  to  retain 
the  opinion  which  he  everywhere  fearlessly  expresses,  —  that 
there  is  no  land  so  desirable  as  his  geyser-renowned  island, 
and  that  the  sun  shines  upon  no  spot  so  beautiful  as  Ice- 
land, —  surely  the  people  of  our  broad,  fair  country  mav 

boast  of  its  place  among  the  lands,  and  of  our  rank  among 

e 


10         FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

the  nations,  of  the  earth.  In  arts  and  sciences,  in  all  that  ex- 
alts humanity,  the  American  nation  could  defy  competition, 
or  at  least  successful  rivalship,  with  any  other  people, 
before  the  great  Rebellion.  Only  one  blot  was  on  its  escut- 
cheon before  the  terrible  war  which  has  just  closed  ;  and  that 
conflict,  righteous  but  awful  as  it  was,  has  not  only  shown 
the  martyr-like  heroism,  the  Spartan  endurance,  and  the 
more  than  Roman  patriotism,  of  the  people  of  these  United 
States  of  America,  but  it  has  removed  the  foul  stain ;  and 
our  star-spangled  banner,  torn  and  tattered  in  the  death- 
struggle  between  Liberty  and  Slavery,  yet  waves  in  its  more 
than  pristine  beauty,  and  with  its  newly  won  glory,  above 
a  country  that  is  now  truly 

"  The  land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave." 

Let  us  recall  the  past.  Looking  across  the  war-scarred 
years  since  1860,  what  do  we  behold?  A  land  prospered 
and  prospering.  The  original  thirteen  States  increased,  till, 
silver  stars  added  one  after  another  to  our  beautiful  flag,  at 
last  it  showed  no  less  than  thirty-four.  But  there  are  rnut- 
terings  of  treason  along  the  horizon.  A  dark  cloud  is 
rising,  and  many  loyal  hearts  are  fearful  that  the  night  will 
be  bereft  of  stars.  One  *  who  has  just  passed  to  the  eternal 
day,  asked,  in  that  hour  of  terrible  suspense,  — 

"  Are  ye  all  there,  are  ye  all  there, 

Stars  of  my  country's  sky  ? 
Are  ye  all  there,  are  ye  all  there, 
In  your  shining  homes  on  high  ? 

*  Mrs.  L.  H.  Sigourney. 


RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT  UPRISING.  11 

'  Count  us,  count  us  ! '  was  their  answer, 

As  they  dazzled  on  my  view, 
In  glorious  perihelion, 
Amid  their  field  of  blue. 

I  cannot  count  ye  rightly ; 

There's  a  cloud  with  sable  rim : 
I  cannot  make  your  number  out ; 

For  my  eyes  with  tears  are  dim. 
0  bright  and  blessed  angel 

On  white  wing  floating  by ! 
Help  me  to  count,  and  not  to  miss, 

One  star  in  my  country's  sky." 

But,  alas  !  one  after  another  the  stars  were  shut  out  by 
the  murky  cloud  of  secession,  till  there  remained  but  twenty- 
three.  Eleven  States  —  North  and  South  Carolina,  Ala- 
bama, Arkansas,  Louisiana,  Mississippi,  Tennessee,  Texas, 
Florida,  Georgia,  and  Virginia  —  no  longer  gleamed  as 
stars  in  our  country's  firmament.  We  may  not  pause  to 
narrate  the  history  of  their  unwise  secession  :  if  we  did,  it 
would  be  to  go  back  to  the  time  of  John  C.  Calhoun,  and 
wish,  vainly,  that  flint-faced  Jackson  had  occupied  the  place 
of  the  timid  Buchanan  when  Jeff.  Davis  imitated  Calhoun, 
and  shook  his  treasonable  fist  in  the  very  face  of  the  United- 
States  Government,  but  was  unmolested.  We  pass  on  over 
the  months  that  intervened  after  the  election  of  Abraham 
Lincoln  —  a  man  of  the  people,  and  emphatically  a  man  for 
the  times,  though  comparatively  few  understood  it  then  — 
till  the  time  of  his  inauguration.  That  was  a  brilliant  and 
imposing  ceremony.  More  than  two  thousand  soldiers  were 
on  parade  that  day.  The  fine  appearance  of  cavalry,  artil* 


12        FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

lery,  and  infantry,  in  their  splendid  uniforms,  awakened 
universal  admiration.  Yet  they  were  but  holiday  soldiers, 
and  little  dreamed  that  they  were  to  be  constituted  real 
knights  of  Fatherland,  and  receive  a  baptism  of  blood  and 
glory. 

Southern  disunionists  preached  secession,  till  it  was  evi- 
dent they  meant  to  secede  ;  but  many  at  the  North  talked  of 
"  compromise,"  and  hoped  the  matter  would  be  settled  with- 
out bloodshed.  The  country  was  unprepared  for  a  sangui- 
nary conflict.  It  had  not  been  her  motto,  "  In  time  of  peace 
prepare  for  war  ; "  for  she  had  not  dreamed  that  the  sons  of 
Revolutionary  sires  could  re-enact  the  sad  tragedy  of  Para- 
dise, and  the  cruel  Cain  of  the  South  lay  violent  hands  on 
his  brother  at  the  North,  whose  "  free  soil,  free  speech,  and 
free  men,"  were  more  acceptable  in  the  sight  of  God  than 
desolated  homes,  parted  families,  and  suffering  bondmen. 
Jefferson  Davis  and  John  B.  Floyd  had  so  directed  in  the 
"War  Department  for  eight  years,  that  the  South  had  more 
than  its  share  of  Government  aid  in  a  preparation  for  an 
aggressive  assault,  while  the  North  was  left  nearly  defence- 
less. Floyd,  the  infamous  thief,  sent  arms  and  ammunition 
to  Southern  arsenals,  depleting  the  North ;  and  our  little 
navy  was  scattered,  its  best  portion  being  ordered  to  far- 
away seas.  The  Confederate  States,  as  the  seceding  por- 
tions of  our  country  called  themselves,  elected  Jefferson 
Davis  to  the  Presidency  in  February,  1861.  He  was  in- 
augurated on  the  16th  of  that  month,  and  Alexander  H. 
Stephens  also  inaugurated  as  Vice-President.  The  nominal 
head  of  the  nation,  a  mere  party  tool,  looked  on  all  this 


RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT   UPRISING.  13 

treasonable  conduct  with  unpardonable  pusillanimity,  and 
perhaps  with  dismay,  and  a  cowardly  dread  of  the  South. 
Probably  he  found  in  those  hours,  that 

"  Uneasy  lies  the  head  that  wears  a  crown ; " 

and  he  longed  for  the  time  when  the  giant  of  the  West 
would  take  the  burden  from  his  shoulders.  So,  instead  of 
crushing  the  viper  in  the  egg,  he  let  treason  grow  to  a 
hydra-headed  monster,  fit  to  frighten  vast  armies,  such  as 
at  least  only  vast  armies  could  utterly  overcome. 

Lincoln  came  to  the  chair  of  State  a  prepared  man  for 
the  hour  of  a  nation's  destiny ;  but  he  had  Quaker  blood 
in  his  veins,  and  he  preferred  peace  to  war.  Yet  justice 
and  liberty  should  triumph,  he  thought,  at  any  cost. 

The  South  desired  to  secure  the  forts  along  their  shores  ; 
but  this  President  Lincoln  could  not  allow.  His  oath  of 
office  must  be  religiously  kept.  He  had  the  spirit  of  a  mar- 
tyr, but  not  a  particle  of  traitor  blood  in  him.  He  could 
bear  to  be  a  stoned  Stephen,  but  not  a  despised  Arnold  ;  and 
so  he  forbade  the  surrender  of  the  forts  into  Southern 
hands  :  and,  when  supplies  were  needed,  he  was  ready  to  fur- 
nish them,  that  the  glorious  old  stars  and  stripes  might  still 
float  over  those  defences  of  Southern  harbors. 

Meanwhile  the  traitors  were  busied  in  building  forts,  and 
preparing  to  take  forcible  possession  of  those  over  which 
waved  the  starry  flag. 

The  loyal  United-States  soldiers  who  occupied  the  forts 
in  Charleston  Harbor  were  in  need  of  food  and  ammunition. 
Government  attempted  to  supply  them ;  but  the  steamer 


14        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

"  Star  of  the  "West,"  which  was  sent  to  relive  the  starving 
garrison,  was  fired  upon,  and  unable  to  enter  the  harbor  and 
draw  near  the  forts.  At  last  the  parricidal  hands  of  South- 
ern traitors  were  raised  against  their  country;  and  "at 
twenty  minutes  past  three,  A.M.,  of  the  12th  of  April,  1861, 
Major  Anderson  was  duly  notified  that  fire  would  be  open'ed 
on  Fort  Sumter  in  one  hour.  Punctual  to  the  appointed 
moment,  the  roar  of  a  mortar  from  Sullivan's  Island, 
quickly  followed  by  the  rustling  shriek  of  a  shell,  gave  notice 
to  the  world  that  the  era  of  compromise  and  diplomacy  was 
ended  ;  that  the  slaveholder's  confederacy  had  appealed  from 
sterile  negotiations  to  the  last  argument  of  aristocracies  as 
•well  as  kings.  Another  gun  from  that  island  quickly  re- 
peated the  warning,  making  a  response  from  battery  after 
battery,  until  Sumter  appeared  the  focus  of  a  circle  of 
volcanic  fire.  Soon  the  thunder  of  fifty  heavy  breaching 
cannon  in  one  grand  volley,  followed  by  the  crashing  and 
crumbling  of  brick,  stone,  and  mortar  around  and  above 
them,  apprised  the  little  garrison  that  their  stay  in  those 
quarters  must  necessarily  be  short."  * 

The  casemates  of  Fort  Sumter  wrere  shell-proof,  so  that 
the  loyal  defenders  were  tolerably  safe  ;  and,  in  fact,  not  one 
was  killed  on  either  side.  "  So  bloodless  Avas  the  initiation 
of  the  bloodiest  struggle  that  America  ever  witnessed. 
But,  though  almost  without  casualty,  the  contest  was  not, 
on  the  side  of  the  Union,  a  mere  mockery  of  war :  it  even 
served  to  develop  traits  of  heroism."  Says  one  of  those 
who  participated  in  the  perils  of  the  defence, — 

*  Greeley's  History  of  the  American  Conflict. 


RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT  UPRISING.  15 

"  The  workman  (Irish  laborers,  hired  in  New  York  for 
other  than  military  service)  were,  at  first,  ratKer  reluctant 
to  assist  the  soldiers  in  handling  the  guns ;  but  they  grad- 
ually took  hold,  and  rendered  valuable  assistance.  Few 
shots  were  fired  before  every  one  of  them  was  desperately 
engaged  in  the  conflict.  We  had  to  abandon  one  gun  on 
account  of  the  heavy  fire  made  upon  it.  Hearing  the  fire 
renewed,  I  went  to  the  spot.  I  there  found  a  party  of 
workmen  ^ngaged  in  serving  it.  I  saw  one  of  them  stoop- 
ing over,  with  his  hands  on  his  knees,  convulsed  with  joy, 
while  the  tears  rolled  down  his  powder-begrimed  cheeks. 

" '  What  are  you  doing  here  with  that  gun  ? '  I  asked. 
'  Hit  it  right  in  the  centre,'  was  the  reply  ;  the  man  mean- 
ing that  his  shot  had  taken  effect  in  the  centre  of  the 
floating  battery." 

Says  another  eye-witness,  "  The  firing  of  the  rifled  guns 
from  the  iron  battery  on  Cummings's  Point  became  ex- 
tremely accurate  in  the  afternoon  of  Friday,  cutting  out 
large  quantities  of  the  masonry  about  the  embrasures  al 
every  shot,  throwing  concrete  among  the  cannoneers,  and 
slightly  wounding  and  stunning  others.  One  piece  struck 
Sergeant  Kernan,  an  old  Mexican -War  veteran  ;  hitting  him 
on  the  head,  and  knocking  him  down.  On  being  revived,  he 
was  asked  if  he  was  hurt  badly.  He  replied,  '  No  ;  I  was 
only  knocked  down  temporarily ; '  and  he  went  to  work 
again."  * 

With  the  fort  on  fire,  and  the  men  as  busily  engaged  in 
fighting  flames  as  fighting  rebels,  with  provisions  gone,  and 

*  Horace  Greeley's  History,  &c. 


16        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

powder  rolled  into  the  sea  to  keep  from  explosion,  the  gar- 
rison was  compelled  to  surrender ;  but  they  asked  and 
obtained  honorable  terms.  "  When  the  baggage  had  all 
been  removed,  a  part  of  the  garrison  was  told  off  as  gun- 
ners to  salute  their  flag  with  fifty  guns ;  the  stars  and 
stripes  being  lowered  with  cheers  at  the  firing  of  the  last 
gun.  Unhappily,  there  was  at  that  fire  a  premature  explo- 
sion, whereby  one  of  the  gunners  was  killed,  and  three 
more  or  less  seriously  wounded.  The  men  were  then 
formed  and  marched  out,  preceded  by  their  band,  playing 
inspiring  airs,  and  taken  on  board  the  '  Isabel,'  whereby  they 
were  transferred  to  the  Federal  steamship  '  Baltic '  awaiting 
them  off  the  bar,  which  brought  them  directly  to  New  York  ; 
whence  Major  Anderson  despatched  to  his  Government  this 
brief  and  manly  report :  — 

'  STEAMSHIP  "  BALTIC,"  OFF  SAXDT  HOOK,  \ 

April  18,  1861. 
'  The  Honorable  S.  CAMEROX, 

'  Secretary  of  War,  Washington,  D.C. 
'SiR, —  Having  defended  Fort  Sumter  for  thirty-four 
hours,  until  the  quarters  were  entirely  burned,  the  main 
gates  destroyed,  the  gorge-wall  seriously  injured,  the  maga- 
zine surrounded  by  flames,  and  its  door  closed  from  the 
effects  of  the  heat,  four  barrels  and  three  cartridges  of  pow- 
der only  being  available,  and  no  provisions  but  pork  remain- 
ing, I  accepted  terms  of  evacuation  offered  by  Gen.  Beaure- 
gard  (being  the  same  offered  by  him  on  the  llth  instant, 
prior  to  the  commencement  of  hostilities),  and  marched  out 
of  the  fort  on  Sunday  afternoon,  the  14th  instant,  with  col- 


RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT  UPRISING.  17 

ors  flying  and  drums  beating,  bringing  away  company  and 
private  property,  and  saluting  my  flag  with  fifty  guns. 
'  ROBERT  ANDERSON, 

'  Major  First  Artillery.' "  * 

And  so  the  war  began.  The  news  went  over  the  wires, 
and  everywhere  met  a  response  in  the  hearts  of  the  loyal 
people.  On  the  morning  of  April  15,  1861,  President 
Lincoln  issued  a  proclamation,  —  his  very  first,  —  calling 
for  patriots  to  defend  the  flag.  There  was  but  one  response 
amid  the  echoing  hills  of  the  North,  and  along  her  resound- 
ing shores.  "  To  arms,  to  arms  !  "  shouted  the  men  ;  and 
the  women  looked  up  from  their  needles,  and  saw  their 
peaceful  husbands,  fathers,  and  sons  transformed  at  once 
into  patriots,  like  the  warrior  of  ancient  story  springing 
full-armed  into  being,  as  heroes  and  champions  of  liberty. 

"  '  COME  TO  THE  RESCUE  ! '  the  cry  went  forth 

Through  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  loyal  North; 

For  the  gun  that  startled  Sumter  heard 

Wakened  the  land  with  its  fiery  word. 

The  farmer  paused  with  his  work  half  done, 

And  snatched  from  the  nail  his  rusty  gun ; 

And  the  swart  mechanic  wiped  his  brow, 

Shouting,  '  There's  work  for  my  strong  arm  now ! ' 

And  the  parson  doffed  his  gown,  and  said, 

^Bring  me  my  right  good  sword  instead ; ' 

And  the  scholar  paused  in  his  eager  quest, 

And  buckled  on  his  belt  with  the  rest; 

*  Greeley'8  History. 


18        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AXD  PRISON. 

And  each  and  all  to  the  rescue  went 
As  unto  a  loyal  tournament : 
For  the  loyal  blood  of  the  nation  stirred 
To  the  gun  that  startled  Sumter  heard."  * 

The  Governor  of  Massachusetts  learned  before  the  proc- 
lamation arrived  the  probable  necessity  of  martial  resistance 
to  Southern  aggression,  too  long  endured  ;  and,  as  in  the 
days  of  the  Revolution,  couriers  on  horseback  rode  into 
towns  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  like  Paul  Revere  in  those 
earlier  "  times  which  tried  men's  souls  ;  "  while  extra  trains 
were  run  to  cities  along  the  railroads,  each  messenger  con- 
veying the  intelligence  that  the  war  had  begun,  and  the 
militia  must  be  in  readiness  to  depart.  Some  towns  were 
aroused  at  midnight  by  the  alarm-bell ;  and,  early  the  next 
morning,  the  troops  of  Massachusetts  were  on  their  way  to 
defend  the  capital  of  the  nation,  whose  capture  was  threat- 
ened by  the  leaders  of  the  Southern  rebels.  This  was  the 
intention  of  that  double-dyed  traitor,  Robert  E.  Lee,  whose 
name  has  been  a  terror  to  loyal  hearts  in  the  border  States, 
and  will  be  "  a  hissing  and  a  byword  "  in  all  future  genera- 
tions. A  New-England  paper  thus  graphically  describes 
the  treasonable  intentions  of  that  rebel  general,  who  adroitly 
slipped  his  head  from  the  noose  he  richly  deserved  :  — 

"How  GEX.  LEE  WEXT  IXTO  THE  WAR. —  On  the  Sun- 
clay  when  the  news  arrived  of  the  fall  of  Sumter,  a  gentle- 
man of  our  acquaintance,  in  whom  we  place  perfect  confi- 
dence, took  the  cars  at  Washington  to  go  to  Richmond. 

*  Mrs.  Caroline  A.  Mason. 


RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT  UPRISING.  19 

Upon  the  train  were  Alexander  A.  H.  Stuart,  William  Bal- 
lard  Preston,  and  another  member  of  the  cdfSmittee  which 
the  Virginia  Legislature  had  sent  up  to  Washington  to  con- 
fer with  the  Government,  or,  more  properly  speaking,  to  see 
what  manner  of  man  the  new  President  was,  and  to  spy  out 
the  land.  At  one  of  the  stations  beyond  Alexandria,  quite 
a  crowd  had  collected ;  and  eager  demands  were  made  for 
the  news  as  the  train  came  in.  Our  informant  noticed  one 
well-dressed  gentleman,  who  seemed  to  be  spokesman  and 
chief  person  in  the  crowd.  He  was  flourishing  up  and 
down  the  platform  with  more  or  less  consequence,  and,  as 
the  train  stopped,  cried  out,  — 

"'What's  the  news?' 

"  '  Sumter  has  fallen,'  was  the  reply. 

"  '  I'll  raise  an  army,  and  march  on  Washington  ! '  ex- 
claimed the  excited  individual,  swinging  his  cane,  and  walk- 
ing uneasily  about. 

"  '  I'll  commence  to-morrow  morning,'  he  repeated,  '  and 
raise  an  army,  and  take  Washington.  Hadn't  I  better  do  it, 
Mr.  Preston?' 

"It  was  some  time  before  Preston  answered,  so  long  that 
our  friend  thought  he  would  make  no  reply  ;  when  he  said 
slowly  and  oracularly,  — 

"  '  True  courage  waits  on  deliberation.' 

"  'Was  there  any  bloodshed?'  asked  the  excited  man. 

" '  No.' 

"'Wasn't  there?'  looking  down,  and  speaking  as  if 
surprised.  As  the  train  moved  off,  he  was  heard  to 
repeat,  — 


20        FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AXD  PRISON. 

" « I  shall  raise  an  army,  and  march  on  "Washington.' 

"When  the  train  was  under  way,  our  friend  asked, — 

" « Who  is  that  enthusiastic  man? ' 

"  '  That  is  Col.  Lee,'  said  Mr.  Preston. 

"  And  that  is  the  man  who  has  since  been  commander  of 
the  rebel  forces,  and  who  is  represented  as  having  very 
reluctantly,  and  only  after  days  of  prayer,  drawn  the  sword 
against  the  Government  that  educated  and  promoted  him. 
And  it  must  be  remembered  that  this  occurrence  took  place 
before  Virginia  had  passed  its  bogus  ordinance  of  secession, 
and  five  days  before  Lee's  resignation.  Lee  did  raise  a  force 
of  about  three  thousand  men,  and  marched  them  to  Harper's 
Ferry  to  procure  arms.  The  intention  was  to  march  into 
Maryland,  which,  it  was  supposed,  would  rise  at  once,  and 
go  out  of  the  Union,  carrying  with  it  the  national  capital, 
which  the  rebels  would  at  once  occupy,  and  proclaim  them- 
selves the  Government  of  the  United  States.  It  is  evident 
that  they  did  not  intend  to  go  off,  and  put  themselves  in  the 
attitude  of  rebels,  but  that  their  plan  was  to  take  the  capital 
and  the  Government  machinery,  and  then  let  the  North 
*  rebel,'  if  they  didn't  like  the  arrangement."  * 

Rhode  Island  was  not  in  the  background  at  this  time.  As 
early  as  January,  1861,  she,  with  other  Northern  States, 
offered  troops  to  President  Buchanan  ;  but  the  timid,  inde- 
cisive President  did  not  accept  them.  They  were  offered  to 
Gen.  Scott ;  and,  when  the  proclamation  came,  they  were 

*  Hartford  Press. 


RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT  UPRISING.  21 

allowed  to  be  a  part  of  the  seventy-five  thousand  men  for 
whom  President  Lincoln  called.  Ex-Governor  Banks,  even 
then,  declared  the  call  should  have  been  for  seven  hundred 
thousand,  in  order  that  the  Rebellion  be  crushed  at  once ; 
and  succeeding  events  have  proved  the  wisdom  of  his  re- 
mark. But  the  crushing  of  the  viper  Secession  was  not 
all  that  was  needed :  the  nest  of  all  the  Southern  vipers, 
which  was  slavery,  was  to  be  totally  destroyed  ;  and  there- 
fore, slowly  but  surely,  the  man  whom  God  had  appointed 
to  lead  the  way  marched  on  to  freedom  and  victory. 

The  Governor  of  Rhode  Island  commanded  his  troops  in 
person  ;  and  men  of  wealth  and  high  social  position  flocked 
to  his  standard.  One  millionnaire,  who  had  purchased  his 
ticket  for  a  trip  to  England,  destroyed  it,  and,  instead  of 
going,  enlisted  in  his  country's  service. 

Women  throughout  New  England,  with  the  loyal  hearts 
of  their  fore-mothers  of  Revolutionary  days,  lent  willing  aid 
in  preparing  the  volunteers  for  their  noble  service.  Far 
into  the  night-hours  did  some  of  them,  in  Massachusetts' 
ancient  town  of  Beverly,  prolong  their  stay  in  the  old  Town 
Hall,  plying  the  needle  with  weary  eyes,  and  packing  arti- 
cles of  clothing  for  the  soldier-boys,  who  were  already  as 
far  as  Boston,  bivouacking  in  the  old  "  Cradle  of  Liberty," 
on  their  way  to  defend  Washington  and  the  institutions  of 
liberty  and  humanity.  Doubtless  similar  scenes  occurred 
in  other  places.  The  spirit  of  many  loyal  wives  is  fittingly 
expressed  in  the  following  poem  :  *  — 

*  By  Charles  A.  Barry. 


22        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

THE  MASSACHUSETTS   SOLDIER'S  WIFE. 

One  parting  kiss  |  the  time  is  come 

That  severs  tliee  and  me : 
I  hear  the  rolling  of  the  drum, 

The  stars  and  stripes  J  see ! 

My  heart  leaps  up ;  I  catch  the  cry 
Of  freemen,  old  and  young :  — 

Away,  God  speed  you  !  do,  or  die  ! 
Be  first  our  foes  among ! 

The  Old  Bay  State  will  fondly  keep 

Her  heroes  in  her  sight  : 
Away  !  let  slaves  and  cowards  weep  ; 

Be  bravest  in  the  fight ! 

Uphold  our  flag ;  its  Sumter  stain 

Avenge  with  Titan  blows  ; 
Smite  down  to  earth,  with  leaden  rain, 

Columbia's  brutal  foes ! 

I  mourn  not,  Richard,  that  I  lose 

The  star  of  all  my  life  ; 
Go ;  and  remember  that  I  choose 

To  be  a  soldier's  wife. 

I'll  teach  my  boy,  "  if  thou  shouldst  fall," 
The  GREATNESS  of  thy  fate ; 

Thy  name  shall  be  his  "  all-in-all," 
Thy  grave  his  best  estate. 


RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT  UPRISING.  23 

I'll  twine  around  his  golden  hair 

The  laurel  thou  mayst  earn  ; 
And  battle-cry  and  martial  air 

Our  darling  boy  shall  learn. 

The  gilded  eagle  on  thy  breast 

Against  his  heart  I'll  bind ; 
The  crimson  sash  that  keeps  thy  vest 

Around  his  waist  I'll  wind. 

And  then  I'll  tell  him  how  you  went 

All  grandly  to  the  strife  : 
Ah,  Richard  !  I  was  surely  meant 

To  be  a  soldier's  wife. 

Fear  not  for  us ;  as  strong  as  oak' 

The  arms  you  gently  feel : 
Last  night  I  prayed;  ere  morning  broke, 

My  heart  was  changed  to  steel. 

Go !  welcome  any  shape  of  death ! 

Be  my  ambition  thine ; 
Fight  bravely :  every  trumpet's  breath 

Proclaims  this  wish  of  mine. 

Fight  bravely,  Richard  !  figlitfoY  me  ; 

Fight  bravely,  I  repeat ! 
Sustain  the  flag,  or  let  it  be 

My  husband's  winding-sheet ! 

Massachusetts  soldiers  were  the  first  to  fall  in  this  civil 
war,  as  Massachusetts  blood  was  the  first  to  be  shed  in  the 


24        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

Revolution  ;  and  it  is  a  remarkable  coincidence,  that  the  nine- 
teenth of  April,  1861,  was  the  day  whose  deeds  paralleled 
the  deeds  of  the  nineteenth  of  April,  1776.  Massachusetts 
was  thoroughly  aroused.  It  almost  seemed,  that,  as  the  elo- 
quent Philips  said,  "  when  the  South  cannonaded  Fort  Sum- 
ter,  the  bones  of  Adams  stirred  in  his  coffin."  He  said,  too, 
that  Massachusetts  "  had  been  sleeping  on  her  arms  since 
'76 ;  and  the  first  cannon-shot  brought  her  to  her  feet,  with  the 
war-cry  of  the  Revolution  on  her  lips."  And  most  impres- 
sive was  his  almost  prophetic  utterance,  "  Massachusetts 
blood  has  consecrated  the  pavements  of  Baltimore,  and 
those  stones  are  now  too  sacre^l  to  be  trodden  by  slaves." 

Bayard   Taylor   tells   the   tale   in   his   fiery  words,  the 
sparks   of   true   genius   and   patriotism :  — 

* 
THEOUGH    BALTIMORE. 

THE   VOICE   OF   THE  PENNSYLVANIA   VOLUNTEEBS. 

'Twas  Friday  morn :  tlie  train  drew  near 

The  city  and  the  shore : 
Far  through  the  sunshine,  soft  and  clear, 
We  saw  the  dear  old  flags  appear ; 
And  in  our  hearts  arose  a  cheer 

For  Baltimore. 

Across  the  broad  Patapsco's  wave, 

Old  Fort  McHenry  bore 
The  starry  banner  of  the  brave, 
As  when  our  fathers  went  to  save, 
Or  in  the  trenches  find  a  grave 

At  Baltimore. 


RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT  UPRISING.  25 

Before  us,  pillared  in  the  sky, 
We  saw  the  statue  soar 
Of  Washington,  serene  and  high ! 
Could  traitors  view  that  form,  nor  fly  ? 
Could  patriots  see,  nor  gladly  die 

For  Baltimore  ? 

"  O  city  of  our  country's  song  ! 

By  that  swift  aid  we  bore 

When  sorely  pressed,  receive  the  throng 

Who  go  to  shield  our  flag  from  wrong, 

And  give  us  welcome  warm  and  strong 

In  Baltimore ! " 

We  had  no  arms :  as  friends  we  came, 

As  brothers  evermore, 
To  rally  round  one  sacred  name, 
The  charter  of  our  power  and  fame : 
We  never  dreamed  of  guilt  and  shame 
In  Baltimore. 

The  coward  mob  upon  us  fell ; 

McHenry's  flag  they  tore  : 
Surprised,  borne  backward  by  the  swell, 
Beat  down  with  mad,  inhuman  yell, 
Before  us  yawned  a  traitorous  hell 
In  Baltimore  ! 

The  streets  our  soldier-fathers  trod 

Blushed  with  their  children's  gore  : 
We  saw  the  craven  rulers  nod, 
And  dip  in  blood  the  civic  rod. 
Shall  such  things  be,  O  righteous  God  ! 
In  Baltimore  ? 


26        FIELD,   GUXBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AXD  PRISON. 

No,  never  !     By  that  outrage  black 

A  solemn  oath  we  swore, 
To  bring  the  Keystone's  thousands  back, 
Strike  down  the  dastards  who  attack, 
And  leave  a  red  and  fiery  track 

Through  Baltimore ! 

Bow  down  in  haste  thy  guilty  head  ! 
God's  wrath  is  swift  and  sore  ; 
The  sky  with  gathering  bolts  is  red  : 
Cleanse  from  thy  skirts  the  slaughter  shed, 
Or  make  thyself  an  ashen  bed, 

O  Baltimore  ! 

The  story  of  the  tragic  events  which  gave  the  Sixth 
Massachusetts  a  name  that  will  never  die  is  thus  told"  by 
another  *  in  verse  :  — 

A  TALE  OF  1861. 

Come,  children,  leave  your  playing ;  a  tale  I  have  to  tell, 
A  tale  of  woe  and  sorrow,  which  long  ago  befell : 
'Twas  in  the  Great  Rebellion,  in  eighteen  sixty-one, 
Within  the  streets  of  Baltimore,  the  bloody  deed  was  done, 

Of  gallant  Major  Anderson  I  told  you  yesternight ; 

Of  Moultrie's    shattered    battlements,    and    Sumter's  bloodless 

fight; 

And  how  the  cannon's  echo  shook  the  North  and  East  and  West, 
And  woke  a  flame  in  loyal  hearts  which  would  not  be  repressed. 

*  Edward  Sprague  Rand,  jun. 


RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT  UPRISING,  27 

Oh  !  'twas  a  goodly  sight  to  see  the  uprising  of  the  people  ; 
To  hear  the  clanging  bells  ring  out  from  every  tower  and  steeple ; 
To  see  our  glorious  flag  flung  wide  all  through  the  loyal  land ; 
To  know  at  last  the  North  stood  up  a  firm,  united  band. 

A  call  went  forth  through  all  the  land  :  "  On,  on  to  Washington  ! " 
On  for  the  Union  that  we  prize,  for  Right  and  Freedom,  on  ! 
'Twas  sunset  ere  the  call  was  known ;  but,  ere  the  break  of  day, 
Our  brave  militia  were  in  arms,  and  ready  for  the  fray. 

They  left  the  plough,  forsook  the  loom ;  bade  hasty,  sad  farewell 
To  all  they  loved,  with  looks  which  spoke  far  more  than  words 

could  tell : 
And  loving  wives  and  mothers  wept,  and  blessed  them  on  their 

way; 
But,  'mid  the  throng  of  anxious  ones,  not  one  would  bid  them  stay. 

As  on  through  loyal  towns  they  went,  'twas  one  prolonged  ovation  : 
Of  all  the  patriot  people  did,  would  weary  the  narration. 
On,  on  for  Washington  they  pressed ;  for  there  the  patriot  band 
For  the  Union  and  for  Liberty,  for  Right,  must  make  their  stand. 

'Twas  the  nineteenth  of  April !     O  most  auspicious  day ! 
It  ushered  in  at  Lexington  the  bloody  fatal  fray ; 
Baptized  our  Revolution  ;  and  'twas  again  to  be . 
For  Massachusetts  men  to  bleed  for  freedom  and  the  free. 

Through  Baltimore  their  pathway  led,  and  boldly  on  they  passed ; 
But  bitter  taunts  and  angry  words  fell  on  them  thick  and  fast : 
'Twas  the  low  rabble  of  the  town  by  whom  the  deed  was  done  ; 
But  men  of  wealth  and  rank  were  there,  and  urged  and  cheered 
them  on. 


28        FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

Oh !  who  shall  tell  of  all  that  chanced,  or  in  that  fearful  fray 

Tell  what  was  done,  or  truly  write  the  history  of  that  day  ? 

How,  not  content  with  scoffs  and  taunts,  the  pavement  up  they 

tore, 
And  showered  the  stones  upon  our  troops,  around,  behind,  before  ? 

"  Why  did  they  let  them  ?  "  Oh,  alas !  forgetful  grows  my  mind  ; 
The  others  had  passed  safely  on,  a  few  were  left  behind : 
For  thus  Secession's  chivalry  its  boldest  deeds  has  done ; 
And  often  have  they  bravely  fought,  a  hundred  against  one. 

On,  on  in  close-set  ranks  they  pressed,  turned  not  to  left   or 

right: 

They  all  were  Massachusetts  men ;  they  never  thought  of  flight ; 
But  as  the  stones  came  thick  and  fast,  the  curses  deep  and  loud, 
In  self-defence,  at  bay,  they  turned,  and  fired  upon  the  crowd. 

Oh !  many  a  taunting  traitor  fell  beneath  their  deadly  fire  ; 

But  thicker  flew  the  showers  of  stones,  and  fiercer  grew  their  ire. 

Enough,  —  they  fought  their  passage  through,   and   then    kept 

marching  on, 
Obedient  to  their  country's  call,  to  rescue  Washington. 

Yet  not  unscathed  :  three  noble  ones  fell  in  the  bloody  fray ; 
And  many  carry  scarring  wounds  in  memory  of  that  day ; 
And  high  on  Honor's  scroll  are  writ  the  names  of  those  who  fell, 
First  martyrs  to  maintain  the  rights  of  the  land  we  love  so  welL 

Yes,  Washington  was  saved,  my  boy :  another  time  I'll  tell 
Of  Freedom's  armies  marshalled  there,  of  all  that  there  befell. 
The  blood  then  spilt  at  Baltimore  roused  all  the  loyal  land, 
And  such  an  army  sprung  to  birth  no  traitors  could  withstand. 


RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT  UPRISING.  29 

I  mind  me  when  the  honored  dead  in  solemn  pomp  came  home ; 

How  our  starry  banner  drooped  half-mast  on  the  high  State-House 
dome; 

How  minute-guns  spoke  sharply  out,  and  sad  the  bells  were  toll- 
ing. 

And  mournfully  upon  the  breeze  the  funeral  dirge  was  rolling. 

Oh  !  there  was  that  within  the  looks,  within  the  eyes,  of  men, 

A  stern  determination  I  never  saw  till  then : 

With  hard-pressed  lips   and   swimming   eyes  they  watched  the 

funeral  train ; 
With  bowed,  uncovered  heads,  they  stood  amid  the  falling  rain. 

In  vision  yet  I  seem  to  see  the  biers  with  flags  intwined ; 
The  memory  of  that  solemn  dirge  will  never  flee  my  mind  : 
And  Massachusetts  lifts  her  head  more  proudly  at  this  day 
That  twice  in  Freedom's  battles  her  sons  have  led  the  way. 

O  children  !  guard  your  heritage ;  be  to  your  country  true ; 
Be  proud  of  Massachusetts,  and  let  her  be  proud  of  you ; 
Be  ready  in  her  cause  to  fight,  and  for  her  sake  to  fall ; 
But  cherish  in  your  heart  of  hearts  the  Union,  above  all ! 

Fast  in  the  track  of  the  Sixth  came  the  Eighth  Massa- 
chusetts and  the  New- York  Seventh.  The  gallant  officer 
and  gifted  writer,  Theodore  Winthrop,  wrote  a  graphic 
sketch  of  the  short  but  useful  services  of  the  Eighth  Massa- 
chusetts and  New- York  Seventh,  from  which  the  follow- 
ing extracts  are  given.  Major  Winthrop  was  a  member 
of  the  New- York  regiment,  and  was  killed  in  the  battle  of 
Great  Bethel.  After  describing  the  departure  from  New 


30          FIELD,  GUXBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AXD  PRISON. 

York,  and  embarkation  on  board  the  "Boston"  at  Philadel- 
phia, he  says,  — 

"  Sunday,  the  21st,  was  a  long  and  somewhat  anxious 
day.  While  we  were  bowling  along  in  the  sweet  sunshine 
and  sweeter  moonlight  of  the  halcyon  time,  Uncle  Sam 
might  be  dethroned  by  somebody  in  buckram,  or  Baltimore 
burnt  by  the  boys  from  Lynn  and  Marblehead,  revenging 
the  massacre  of  their  fellows.  Every  one  begins  to  com- 
prehend the  fiery  eagerness  of  men  who  live  in  historic 
times.  '  I  wish  I  had  control  of  chain-lightning  for  a  few 
minutes,'  says  0.,  the  droll  fellow  of  our  company :  '  I'd 
make  it  come  thick  and  heavy,  and  knock  spots  out  of  Se- 
cession.' 

"  At  early  dawn  of  Monday,  22d,  after  feeling  along 
slowly  all  night,  we  see  the  harbor  of  Annapolis.  A  frig- 
ate with  sails  unbent  lies  at  anchor.  She  flies  the  stars  and 
stripes.  Hurrah ! 

"  A  large  steamboat  is  aground  farther  in.  As  soon  as 
we  can  see  any  thing,  we  catch  the  glitter  of  bayonets  on 
board. 

"  By  and  by  boats  come  off,  and  we  get  news  that  the 
steamer  is  the  '  Maryland,'  a  ferry-boat  of  the  Philadel- 
phia and  Baltimore  Railroad.  The  Massachusetts  Eighth 
Regiment  had  been  just  in  time  to  seize  her  on  the  north 
side  of  the  Chesapeake.  They  learned  that  she  was  to  be 
carried  off  by  the  crew,  and  leave  them  blockaded ;  so 
they  shot  their  Zouaves  ahead  as  skirmishers.  The  fine 
fellows  rattled  on  board  ;  and,  before  the  steamboat  had  time 
to  take  a  turn  or  open  a  valve,  she  was  held  by  Massachusetts 


RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT  UPRISING.  31 

in  trust  for  Uncle  Sam.  Hurrah  for  the  most  important 
prize  thus  far  in  the  war !  It  probably  saved  the  '  Consti- 
tution,' <01d  Ironsides,'  from  capture  by  the  traitors.  It 
probably  saved  Annapolis,  and  kept  Maryland  open  without 
bloodshed. 

"  As  soon  as  the  Massachusetts  regiment  had  made  prize 
of  the  ferry-boat,  a  call  was  made  for  engineers  to  run  her. 
Some  twenty  men  at  once  stepped  to  the  front.  We  of  the 
New- York  Seventh  afterwards  concluded,  that  whatever 
was  needed  in  the  way  of  skill  or  handicraft  could  be  found 
among  those  brother  Yankees.  They  were  the  men  to 
make  armies  of.  They  could  tailor  for  themselves,  shoe 
themselves  ;  do  their  own  blacksmithing,  gunsmithing,  and 
all  other  work  that  calls  for  sturdy  arms  and  nimble  fingers. 
In  fact,  I  have  such  profound  confidence  in  the  universal 
accomplishments  of  the  Massachusetts  Eighth,  that  I  have 
no  doubt,  if  the  order  were,  '  Poets,  to  the  front ! '  '  Painters, 
present  arms  ! '  '  Sculptors,  charge  bayonets  ! '  a  baker's 
dozen  out  of  every  company  would  respond. 

"  Well,  to  go  on  with  their  story  :  when  they  had  taken 
their  prize,  they  drove  her  straight  down  stream  to  Annapo- 
lis, the  nearest  point  to  Washington.  There  they  found  the 
Naval  Academy  in  danger  of  attack,  and  '  Old  Ironsides '  — 
serving  as  a  practice-ship  for  the  future  midshipmen  —  also 
exposed.  The  call  was  now  for  seamen  to  man  the  old 
craft,  and  save  her  from  a  worse  enemy  than  her  prototpye 
met  in  the  '  Guerriere.'  Seamen?  Of  course!  They 
were  Marblehead  men,  Gloucester  men,  Beverly  men,  sea- 
men all,  par  excellence  !  They  clapped  on  the  frigate  to  aid 


32        FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

the  middies,  and  by  and  by  started  her  out  into  the  stream. 
In  doing  this,  their  own  pilot  took  the  chance  to  run  them 
purposely  on  a  shoal  in  the  intricate  channel.  A  great  er- 
ror of  judgment  on  his  part!  —  as  he  perceived,  when  he 
found  himself  in  irons  and  in  confinement.  '  The  days  of 
trifling  with  traitors  are  over, '  think  the  Eighth  Regiment 
of  Massachusetts. 

"  But  there  they  were,  hard  and  fast  on  the  shoal,  when 
we  came  up.  Nothing  to  nibble  on  but  knobs  of  anthracite. 
Nothing  to  sleep  on  softer  or  cleaner  than  coal-dust.  Noth- 
ing to  drink  but  the  brackish  water  under  their  keel. 
*  Rather  rough,'  as  they  afterward  patiently  told  us. 

"  Meantime  the  '  Constitution '  had  got  hold  of  a  tug,  and 
was  making  her  way  to  an  anchorage  where  her  guns  com- 
manded every  thing  and  everybody.  Good  and  true  men 
chuckled  greatly  over  this.  The  stars  and  stripes  also  were 
still  up  at  the  fort  at  the  Naval  Academy. 

"  Our  dread,  that,  while  we  were  off  at  sea,  some  great 
and  perhaps  fatal  harm  had  been  suffered,  was  greatly  light- 
ened by  these  good  omens.  If  Annapolis  was  safe,  why  not 
Washington  safe  also?  If  treachery  had  got  head  at  the 
capital,  would  not  treachery  have  reached  out  its  hand,  and 
snatched  this  doorway?  These  were  our  speculations  as  we 
began  to  discern  objects  before  we  heard  news. 

"  But  news  came  presently.  Boats  pulled  off  to  us. 
Our  officers  were  put  into  communication  with  the  shore. 
The  scanty  facts  of  our  position  became  known  from  man 
to  man.  "We  privates  have  greatly  the  advantage  in  bat- 
tling with  the  doubt  of  such  a  time.  We  know  that  we 


RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT  UPRISING.  33 

have  nothing  to  do  with  rumors.  Orders  are  what  we  go 
by  ;  and  orders  are  facts. 

"  "We  lay  a  long,  lingering  day  off  Annapolis.  The  air 
was  full  of  doubt,  and  we  were  eager  to  be  let  loose.  All 
this  while  the  '  Maryland '  stuck  fast  on  the  bar.  We  could 
see  them  half  a  mile  off,  making  every  effort  to  lighten 
her.  The  soldiers  tramped  forward  and  aft,  danced  on  her 
decks,  shot  overboard  a  heavy  baggage-truck.  We  saw 
them  start  the  truck  for  the  stern  with  a  cheer.  It  crashed 
down.  One  end  stuck  in  the  mud :  the  other  fell  back, 
and  rested  on  the  boat.  They  went  at  it  with  axes,  and 
presently  it  was  clear. 

"  As  the  tide  rose,  we  gave  our  grounded  friends  a  lift 
with  a  hawser.  No  go  !  The  'Boston'  tugged  in  vain.  We 
got  near  enough  to  see  the  whites  of  the  Massachusetts 
eyes,  and  their  unlucky  faces  and  uniforms  all  grimy 
with  their  lodgings  in  the  coal-dust.  They  could  not  have 
been  blacker  if  they  had  been  breathing  battle-smoke  and 
dust  all  day.  That  experience  was  clear  gain  to  them. 

"We  staid  all  next  day  at  Annapolis.  The  'Boston* 
brought  the  Massachusetts  Eighth  ashore  that  night.  Poor 
fellows  !  what  a  figure  they  cut  when  we  found  them  bivou- 
acked on  the  Academy  grounds  next  morning  !  To  begin  : 
they  had  come  off  in  hot,  patriotic  haste,  half-uniformed 
and  half-outfitted.  Finding  that  Baltimore  had  been  taken 
by  its  own  loafers  and  traitors,  and  that  the  Chesapeake 
Ferry  was  impracticable,  had  obliged  them  to  change  line  of 
march.  They  were  out  of  grub.  They  were  parched  dry 
for  want  of  water  on  the  ferry-boat.  Nobody  could  deci- 


34        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

pher  Caucasian,  much  less  Bunker-Hill  Yankee,  in  their 
grimy  visages. 

"  But,  hungry,  thirsty,  grimy,  these  fellows  were  grit. 

"  Massachusetts  ought  to  be  proud  of  such  hardy,  cheer- 
ful, faithful  sons. 

"  "We  of  the  Seventh  are  proud,  for  our  part,  that  it  was 
our  privilege  to  share  our  rations  with  them,  and  to  begin  a 
fraternization  which  grows  closer  every  day,  and  will  be 
historical. 

"  But  I  must  make  a  shorter  story.  "We  drilled  and 
•were  reviewed  that  morning  on  the  Academy  parade.  In 
the  afternoon,  the  Naval  School  paraded  their  last  before 
they  gave  up  their  barracks  to  the  coming  soldiery.  So 
ended  the  23d  of  April. 

"  Midnight,  24th.  —  "We  were  rattled  up  by  an  alarm,  — 
perhaps  a  sham  one,  to  keep  us  awake  and  lively.  In  a 
moment,  the  whole  regiment  was  in  order  of  battle  in  the 
moonlight  on  the  parade.  It  was  a  most  brilliant  specta- 
cle, as  company  after  company  rushed  forward,  with  rifles 
glittering,  to  take  their  places  in  the  array. 

"After  this  pretty  spurt,  we  were  rationed  with  pork, 
beef,  and  bread,  for  three  days  ;  and  ordered  to  be  ready  to 
march  on  the  instant. 

"  Meantime,  Gen.  Butler's  command,  the  Massachu- 
setts Eighth,  had  been  busy  knocking  disorder  in  the  head. 

"  Presently  after  their  landing,  and  before  they  were  re- 
freshed, they  pushed  companies  out  to  occupy  the  railroad- 
track  beyond  the  town. 

"  They  found  it  torn  up.     No  doubt  the  scamps  who  did 


RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT  UPRISING.  35 

the  shabby  job  fancied  that  there  would  be  no  more  travel 
that  way  until  strawberry-time.  They  fancied  the  Yankees 
would  sit  down  on  the  fences,  and  begin  to  whittle  white-oak 
toothpicks,  darning  the  rebels  through  their  noses  mean- 
while. 

"  I  know  these  men  of  the  Eighth  can  whittle,  and  I 
presume  they  can  say  '  Darn,  it,'  if  occasion  requires  ;  but 
just  now  track-laying  was  the  business  on  hand. 

"  '  Wanted,  experienced  track-layers  ! '  was  the  word 
along  the  files. 

"  All  at  once  the  line  of  the  road  became  densely  popu- 
lated with  experienced  track-layers,  fresh  from  Massachu- 
setts. 

"  '  Presto,  change  ! '  the  rails  were  relaid,  spiked,  and  the 
roadway  levelled  and  better  ballasted  than  any  road  I  ever 
saw  south  of  Mason  and  Dixon's  line.  '  We  must  leave  a 
good  job  for  these  folks  to  model  after,'  say  the  Massachu- 
setts Eighth. 

"  A  track  without  a  train  is  as  useless  as  a  gun  without 
a  man.  Train  and  engine  must  be  had.  '  Uncle  Sam's 
mails  and  troops  cannot  be  stopped  another  minute,'  our 
energetic  friends  conclude.  So,  the  railroad  company's 
people  being  either  frightened  or  false,  in  marches  Massa- 
chusetts to  the  station.  '  We,  the  people  of  the  United 
States,  want  rolling-stock  for  the  use  of  the  Union,'  they 
said,  or  words  to  that  effect. 

"The  engine  —  a  frowzy  machine  at  the  best — had  been 
purposely  disabled. 

"  Here  appeared  the  deus  ex  machina,  Charles  Romans, 


36        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AXD  PRISON. 

Beverly  Light  Guard,  Company  E,  Eighth  Massachusetts 
Regiment. 

"  That  is  the  man,  name  and  titles  in  full ;  and  he  de- 
serves well  of  his  country. 

"  He  took  a  quiet  squint  at  the  engine  (  it  was  as  help- 
less as  a  boned  turkey)  ;  and  he  found  '  Charles  Homans, 
his  mark,'  written  all  over  it. 

"  The  old  rattletrap  was  an  old  friend.  Charles  Homans 
had  had  a  share  in  building  it.  The  machine  and  the  man 
said  'How  d'ye  do?'  at  once.  Homans  called  for  a  gang 
of  engine-builders.  Of  course  they  swarmed  out  of  the 
ranks.  They  passed  their  hands  over  the  locomotive  a  few 
times ;  and  presently  it  was  ready  to  whistle  and  wheeze 
and  rumble  and  gallop,  as  if  no  traitor  had  ever  tried  to 
steal  the  go  and  the  music  out  of  it. 

"  This  had  all  been  done  during  the  afternoon  of  the  23d. 
During  the  night,  the  renovated  engine  was  kept  cruising 
up  and  down  the  track  to  see  all  clear.  Guards  of  the 
Eighth  were  also  posted  to  protect  passage. 

"  Our  commander  had,  I  presume,  been  co-operating  with 
Gen.  Butler  in  this  business.  The  Naval-Academy  au- 
thorities had  given  us  every  despatch  and  assistance  ;  and 
the  middies,  frank,  personal  hospitality.  The  day  was  hal- 
cyon, the  grass  was  green  and  soft,  the  apple-trees  were  just 
in  blossom  :  it  was  a  day  to  be  remembered. 

"  Many  of  us  will  remember  it,  and  show  the  marks  of  it 
for  months,  as  the  day  we  had  our  heads  cropped.  By  even- 
ing, there  was  hardly  one  poll  in  the  Seventh  tenable  by 
anybody's  grip.  Most  sat  in  the  shade,  and  were  shorn 


RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT  UPRISING.  37 

by  a  barber.  A  few  were  honored  with  a  clip  by  the  artist 
hand  of  the  petit  caporal  of  our  Engineer  Company. 

"While  I  rattle  off  these  trifling  details,  let  me  not  fail  to 
call  attention  to  the  grave  service  done  by  our  regiment,  by 
its  arrival,  at  the  nick  of  time,  at  Annapolis.  No  clearer 
special  Providence  could  have  happened.  The  country 
people  of  the  traitor  sort  were  aroused.  Baltimore  and  its 
mob  were  but  two  hours  away.  The  '  Constitution '  had  been 
hauled  out  of  reach  of  a  rush  by  the  Massachusetts  men, 
first  on  the  ground ;  but  was  half-manned,  and  not  fully 
secure.  And  there  lay  the  '  Maryland,'  helpless  on  the  shoal, 
with  six  or  seven  hundred  souls  on  board,  so  near  the  shore 
that  the  late  Capt.  Rynders's  gun  could  have  sunk  her  from 
some  ambush. 

"  Yes,  the  Seventh  Regiment  at  Annapolis  was  the  right 
man  in  the  right  place  !  " 

At  night,  Major  Winthrop  was  on  guard  over  a  howitzer. 
He  adds,  — 

"  Two  of  the  Massachusetts  men  come  back  to  the  gun 
while  we  are  standing  there.  One  is  my  friend  Stephen 
Morris,  of  Marblehead,  Sutton  Light  Infantry.  I  had 
shared  my  breakfast  yesterday  with  Stephe.  So  we  refra- 
ternize. 

"  His  business  is,  '  I  make  shoes  in  winter,  and  fishin' 
in  summer.'  He  gives  me  a  few  facts,  —  suspicious  persons 
seen  about  the  track,  men  on  horseback  in  the  distance. 
One  of  the  Massachusetts  guard  last  night  challenged  his 
captain.  Captain  replied,  '  Officer  of  the  night.'  Where- 
upon, says  Stephe,  '  The  recruit  let  squizzle,  and  jest  missed 


38        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

his  ear.'  He  then  related  to  me  the  incident  of  the  railroad 
station.  '  The  first  thing  they  know'd,'  says  he,  '  we  bit 
right  into  the  depot,  and  took  charge.'  '  I  don't  mind,' 
Stephe  remarked,  — '  I  don't  mind  life,  nor  yit  death  ;  but, 
whenever  I  see  a  Massachusetts  boy,  I  stick  by  him,  and  if 
them  secessionists  attack  us  to-night,  or  any  other  time, 
they  '11  git  in  debt.' 

"  Whistle,  again  !  and  the  train  appears.  We  are  ordered 
to  ship  our  howitzer  on  a  platform  car.  The  engine  pushes 
us  on.  This  train  brings  our  light  baggage  and  the  rear- 
guard. 

"  A  hundred  yards  farther  on  is  a  delicious  fresh  spring 
below  the  bank.  While  the  train  halts,  Stephe  Morris 
rushes  down  to  fill  my  canteen.  '  This  a'u't  like  Marble- 
head,'  says  Stephe,  panting  up ;  '  but  a  man  that  can  shin 
up  them  rocks  can  git  right  over  this  sand.' 

"  The  train  goes  slowly  on,  as  a  rickety  train  should.  At 
intervals,  we  see  the  fresh  spots  of  track  just  laid  by  our 
Yankee  friends.  Near  the  sixth  mile,  we  began  to  overtake 
hot  and  uncomfortable  squads  of  our  fellows.  The  unsea- 
sonable heat  of  this  most  breathless  day  was  too  much  for 
many  of  the  younger  men,  unaccustomed  to  rough  Avork, 
and  weakened  by  want  of  sleep  and  irregular  food  in  our 
hurried  movements  thus  far. 

"  Charles  Homans's  private  carriage  was,  however,  ready 
to  pick  up  tired  men,  hot  men,  thirsty  men,  men  with  corns, 
or  men  with  blisters.  They  tumbled  into  the  train  in  con- 
siderable numbers. 

"  An  enemy  that  dared  could  have  made  a  moderate  bag 


RECORDS  OF  THE   GREAT  UPRISING.  39 

of  stragglers  at  this  time.  But  they  would  not  have  been 
allowed  to  straggle  if  any  enemy  had  been  about.  By  this 
time,  we  were  convinced  that  no  attack  was  to  be  expected 
in  this  part  of  the  way. 

"  The  main  body  of  the  regiment,  under  Major  Shaler,  a 
tall,  soldierly  fellow,  with  a  mustache  of  the  fighting-color, 
tramped  on  their  own  pins  to  the  watering-place,  eight  miles 
or  so  from  Annapolis.  There  troops  and  train  came  to  a 
halt,  with  the  news  that  a  bridge  over  a  country  road  was 
broken  a  mile  farther  on. 

"  It  had  been  distinctly  insisted  upon,  in  the  usual  South- 
ern style,  that  we  were  not  to  be  allowed  to  pass  through 
Maryland,  and  that  we  were  to  be  '  welcomed  to  hospitable 
graves.'  The  broken  bridge  was  a  capital  spot  for  a  skirm- 
ish. Why  not  look  for  it  here  ? 

"  We  looked,  but  got  nothing.  The  rascals  could  skulk 
about  by  night,  tear  up  rails,  and  hide  them  where  they 
might  be  found  by  a  man  with  half  an  eye,  or  half  destroy  a 
bridge  ;  but  there  was  no  shoot  in  them.  They  have  not 
faith  enough  in  their  cause  to  risk  their  lives  for  it,  even 
behind  a  tree  or  from  one  of  these  thickets,  —  choice  spots 
for  ambush. 

"  So  we  had  no  battle  there  but  a  battle  of  the  ele- 
ments. The  volcanic  heat  of  the  morning  was  followed 
by  a  furious  storm  of  wind  and  a  smart  shower.  The 
regiment  wrapped  themselves  in  their  blankets,  and  took 
their  wetting  with  more  or  less  satisfaction.  They  were 
receiving  samples  of  all  the  different  little  miseries  of  a 
campaign." 


40        FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

A  fine  description  of  a  night-march,  and  the  efforts  of  our 
citizen  soldiers  to  reach  Washington,  follows  :  — 

"  It  was  full-moonlight,  and  the  night  inexpressibly  sweet 
and  serene.  The  air  was  cool,  and  vivified  by  the  gust  and 
shower  of  the  afternoon.  Fresh  spring  was  in  every  breath. 
Our  fellows  had  forgotten  that  this  morning  they  were  hot 
and  disgusted.  Every  one  hugged  his  rifle  as  if  it  were  the 
arm  of  the  girl  of  his  heart,  and  stepped  out  gayly  for  the 
promenade.  Tired  or  foot-sore  men,  or  even  lazy  ones, 
could  mount  upon  the  two  freight-cars  we  were  using  for 
artillery- wagons.  There  were  stout  arms  enough  to  tow  the 
whole. 

"  It  was  an  original  kind  of  march.  I  suppose  a  battery 
of  howitzers  never  before  found  itself  mounted  upon  cars, 
ready  to  open  fire  at  ouce,  and  bang  away  into  the  offing 
with  shrapnel,  or  into  the  bushes  with  canister.  Our  line 
extended  a  half-mile  along  the  track.  It  was  beautiful  to 
stand  on  a  bank  above  a  cutting,  and  watch  the  files  strike 
from  the  shadow  of  a  wood  into  a  broad  flame  of  moonlight, 
every  rifle  sparkling  up  alert  as  it  came  forward ;  a  beau- 
tiful sight  to  see  the  barrels  writing  themselves  upon  the 
dimness,  each  a  silver  flash. 

"By  and  by,  '  Halt ! '  came  repeated  along  from  the  front, 
company  after  company.  '  Halt !  a  rail  gone.' 

"  It  was  found  without  difficulty.  The  imbeciles  who  took 
it  up  probably  supposed  we  would  not  wish  to  wet  our  feet 
by  searching  for  it  in  the  dewy  grass  of  the  next  field. 
With  incredible  doltishness,  they  had  also  left  the  chairs  and 


RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT  UPRISING.  41 

spikes  beside  the  track.  Bonnell  took  hold,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  had  the  rail  in  place,  and  firm  enough  to  pass  the 
engine.  Remember,  we  were  not  only  hurrying  on  to  suc- 
cor Washington,  but  opening  the  only  convenient  and  prac- 
ticable route  between  it  and  the  loyal  States. 

"A  little  farther  on,  we  came  to  a  village,  —  a  rare  sight 
in  this  scantily  peopled  region.  Here  Sergeant  Keeler  of 
our  company,  the  tallest  man  in  the  regiment,  and  one 
of  the  handiest,  suggested  that  we  should  tear  up  the 
rails  at  a  turnout  by  the  station,  and  so  be  prepared  for 
chances.  So  '  Out  crowbars  ! '  was  the  word.  "We  tore 
up  and  bagged  half  a  dozen  rails,  with  chairs  and  spikes 
complete.  Here,  too,  some  of  the  engineers  found  a  keg 
of  spikes.  This  was  also  bagged,  and  loaded  on  our  cars. 
We  fought  the  chaps  with  their  own  weapons,  since  they 
would  not  meet  us  with  ours. 

"  These  things  made  delay ;  and  by  and  by  there  was  a 
long  halt,  while  the  colonel  communicated,  by  orders  sounded 
along  the  line,  with  the  engine.  Homans's  drag  was  hard 
after  us,  bringing  our  knapsacks  and  traps. 

"  After  I  had  admired  for  some  time  the  beauty  of  our 
moonlit  line,  and  listened  to  the  orders  as  they  grew  or  died 
along  the  distance,  I  began  to  want  excitement.  Bonnell 
suggested  that  he  and  I  should  scout  up  the  road,  and  see  if 
any  rails  were  wanting.  We  travelled  along  into  the  quiet 
night. 

"  A  mile  ahead  of  the  line,  we  suddenly  caught  the  gleam 
of  a  rifle-barrel.  'Who  goes  there?'  one  of  our  own 
scouts  challenged  smartly. 


42         FIELD,   Gl'XBOAT,  HOSPITAL,   AND  PRISON. 

"  We  had  arrived  at  the  nick  of  time.  Three  rails  were 
up.  Two  of  them  were  easily  fouud.  The  third  was  dis- 
covered by  beating  the  bush  thoroughly.  Bonnell  and  I 
ran  back  for  tools,  and  returned  at  full  trot  with  crow- 
bar and  sledge  on  our  shoulders.  There  were  plenty  of 
willing  hands  to  help,  —  too  many,  indeed  ;  and,  with  the 
aid  of  a  huge  Massachusetts  man,  we  soon  had  the  rail  in 
place. 

"  From  this  time  on  we  were  constantly  interrupted.  Not  a 
half-mile  passed  without  a  rail  up.  Bonnell  was  always  at 
the  front,  laying  track  ;  and  I  am  proud  to  say  that  he 
accepted  me  as  aide-de-camp.  Other  fellows,  unknown  to 
rne  in  the  dark,  gave  hearty  help.  The  Seventh  showed 
that  it  could  do  something  else  than  drill. 

"At  one  spot,  on  a  high  embankment  over  standing  water, 
the  rail  was  gone  ;  sunk,  probably.  Here  we  tried  our  rails 
brought  from  the  turnout.  They  were  too  short.  \Ve  sup- 
plemented with  a  length  of  plank  from  our  stores.  We 
rolled  our  cars  carefully  over.  They  passed  safe ;  but 
Homans  shook  his  head.  He  could  not  venture  a  locomo- 
tive on  that  frail  stuff.  So  we  lost  the  society  of  the 
'J.  H.  Nicholson.'  Next  day,  the  Massachusetts  com- 
mander called  for  some  one  to  dive  in  the  pool  for  the  lost 
rail.  Plump  into  the  water  went  a  little  wiry  chap,  and 
grappled  the  rail.  '  "When  I  come  up,'  says  the  brave  fellow 
afterwards  to  me,  '  our  officer  out  with  a  twenty-dollar  gold- 
piece,  and  wanted  me  to  take  it.  "  That  a'n't  what  I  come 
for,"  says  I.  "  Take  it,"  says  he,  '•  and  share  with  the  others." 
"  That  a'n't  what  they  come  for,"  says  I.  But  I  took  a  big 


RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT  UPRISING.  43 

cold,'  the  diver  continued,  '  and  I'm  condemned  hoarse 
yit ; '  which  was  the  fact. 

"  Farther  on  we  found  a  whole  length  of  track  torn  up  on 
both  sides,  sleepers  and  all ;  and  the  same  thing  repeated 
with  alternations  of  breaks  of  single  rails.  Our  howitzer- 
ropes  came  into  play  to  hoist  and  haul.  We  Avere  not  going 
to  be  stopped. 

"But  it  was  becoming  a  noche  triste  to  some  of  our 
comrades.  We  had  now  marched  some  sixteen  miles. 
The  distance  was  trifling ;  but  the  men  had  been  on  their 
legs  pretty  much  all  day  and  night.  Hardly  any  one  had 
had  any  full  or  substantial  sleep  or  meal  since  we  started 
from  New  York.  They  napped  off,  standing,  leaning  on 
their  guns,  dropping  down  in  their  tracks  on  the  wet  ground, 
at  every  halt.  They  were  sleepy,  but  plucky.  As  we  passed 
through  deep  cuttings,  places,  as  it  were,  built  for  defence, 
there  was  a  general  desire  that  the  tedium  of  the  night 
should  be  relieved  by  a  shindy. 

"  During  the  whole  night  I  saw  our  officers  moving  about 
the  line,  doing  their  duty  vigorously,  despite  exhaustion, 
hunger,  and  sleeplessness. 

"  About  midnight,  our  friends  of  the  Eighth  had  joined  us  ; 
and  our  whole  little  army  struggled  on  together.  I  find  that 
I  have  been  rather  understating  the  troubles  of  the  march. 
It  seems  impossible  that  such  difficulty  could  be  encountered 
within  twenty  miles  of  the  capital  of  our  nation.  But  we 
were  making  a  rush  to  put  ourselves  in  that  capital ;  and  we 
could  not  proceed  in  the  slow,  systematic  way  of  an  advan- 
cing army.  We  must  take  the  risk,  and  stand  the  suffering, 


44        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

whatever  it  was.     So  the  Seventh  Regiment  went  through 
its  bloodless  noche  triste. 

"  We  put  our  guns  on  their  own  wheels,  all  dropped  into 
ranks  as  if  on  parade,  and  marched  the  last  two  miles  to 
the  station.  We  still  had  no  certain  information.  Until  we 
actually  saw  the  train  awaiting  us,  and  the  Washington 
companies,  who  had  come  down  to  escort  us,  drawn  up,  we 
did  not  know  whether  our  Uncle  Sam  was  still  a  resident 
of  the  capital. 

"We  packed  into  the  train,  and  rolled  away  to  Wash- 
ington. 

"  We  marched  up  to  the  White  House,  showed  ourselves  to 
the  President,  made  our  bow  to  him  as  our  host,  and  then 
marched  up  to  the  Capitol,  our  grand  lodgings. 

"There  we  are  now,  quartered  in  the  Representatives' 
Chamber. 

"  And  here  I  must  hastily  end  this  first  sketch  of  the  Great 
Defence.  May  it  continue  to  be  as  firm  and  faithful  as  it  is 
this  day ! 

"  I  have  scribbled  my  story  with  a  thousand  men  stirring 
about  me.  If  any  of  my  sentences  miss  their  aim,  accuse 
my  comrades  and  the  bewilderment  of  this  martial  crowd  ; 
for  here  are  four  or  five  thousand  others  on  the  same  busi- 
ness as  ourselves,  and  drums  are  beating,  guns  are  clanking, 
companies  are  tramping,  all  the  while.  Our  friends  of  the 
Eighth  Massachusetts  are  quartered  under  the  dome,  and 
cheer  us  whenever  we  pass. 

"Desks   marked   'John   Covode,'    'John  Cochran,'  and 


RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT  UPRISING.  45 

'Anson  Burlingame,'  have  allowed  me  to  use  them  as  I 
wrote."  * 

We  have  told  at  some  length  the  deeds  of  Massachusetts 
and  other  Eastern  Regiments,  showing  the  patriotism,  valor, 
and  industry  of  the  soldiers  in  them  ;  and  yet  "  tKe  half 
has  not  been  told." 

In  a  severe  easterly  rain-storm,  —  no  slight  affair  on  the 
Atlantic  coast,  —  the  first  Massachusetts  troops  started 
for  Washington.  The  company  from  Marblehead,  true  to 
the  patriotic  reputation  of  their  gallant  fathers,  were  the 
first  at  the  rendezvous.  "  Among  the  incidents  narrated, 
it  is  mentioned,  that,  while  the  recruits  were  forming  at 
Marblehead,  one  man,,  calling  to  mind  his  deserted  store, 
and  his  family  which  he  was  about  to  leave,  for  a  moment 
hesitated ;  when  his  wife,  in  the  most  emphatic  manner, 
exclaimed,  '  If  you  don't  go,  I'll  never  live  with  you  ! '  and 
another  woman,  in  the  true  spirit  of  '76,  said,  '  Here  are  my 
two  sons  ;  and  I'm  sorry  I  have  not  more  to  go  ! '  A  large 
sum  of  money  was  subscribed  by  liberal  citizens  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  families  of  the  soldiers  during  their  absence."!  • 

Among  the  numerous  instances  of  devotion  to  the  coun- 
try is  the  following :  — 

"  Gov.  Andrew  has  a  letter  from  a  clergyman  of  an  in- 
terior society  of  this  State,  who  asks  that  the  law  making  him 
exempt  from  military  duty  may  be  repealed  in  his  case." 

Another,  showing  hearty  sympathy,  is  as  follows  :  — 

"  While  the  Massachusetts  soldiers  were  passing  down 
Broadway,  amidst  the  waving  of  handkerchiefs  by  the 

*  Atlantic  Monthly,  June,  1864.  t  Salem  Register. 


46         FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

ladies  and  the  cheers  of  the  men,  there  was  a  group  of 
people  in  front  of  a  public  office,  from  which  the  most 
hearty  demonstrations  proceeded.  That  crowd  was  wholly 
composed  of  natives  of  the  Bay  State,  who  felt  a  just  pride 
in  the  old  Commonwealth.  A  very  prominent  citizen  of 
New  York  joined  the  group,  and  was  cheering  most  lustily  ; 
when  he  was  pleasantly  told  by  an  intimate  friend  that  lie 
could  not  unite  with  that  crowd,  as  he  was  not  a  native  of 
old  Massachusetts.  '  I  have  half  a  right  to  be  with  you,'  he 
replied  ;  '  for,  though  I  am  a  New-Yorker,  I  married  a  Boston 
lady,  and  made  a  first-rate  bargain.'  We  hardly  need  add 
that  he  was  allowed  to  stand  among  the  sons  of  Massachu- 
setts, and  cheer  to  his  heart's  content."  * 

In  one  of  the  companies  attached  to  the  famous  Sixth 
Regiment,  which  gave  the  first  martyrs  to  liberty,  was  a 
newly  enlisted  recruit,  the  eldest  son  of  a  widow  in  a  coun- 
try town,  who  followed  her  son  to  the  city  to  take  a  last 
look  of  him  until  he  returns  from  the  war.  She  did  not 
come  to  urge  him  to  return  to  his  peaceful  home  and  pur- 
suits, but  rather  to  cheer  him  with  a  mother's  blessing. 
Fearing  that  her  son  might  want  for  money  during  absence, 
she  raised  some  by  the  sale  of  her  cow,  and  being  admit- 
ted inside  the  lines,  just  before  the  troops  left  the  State 
House,  pressed  the  money  on  her  boy,  who  declined  it. 

In  Gloucester,  a  woman,  with  the  same  spirit  as  that  which 
animated  the  Spartan  mother,  said  to  her  son,  "Your  coun- 
try wants  you  more  than  I  do  :  GO  !  " 

In  Canton,  a  private  in  Company  H,  named  Preble,  — 

*  Salem  Register. 


RECORDS  OF  THE  GREAT  UPRISING.  47 

a  name  historic  and  heroic,  —  went  to  announce  to  his  be- 
trothed that  he  was  warned  to  service.  She  was  ill  of  that 
siren  disease,  —  consumption.  Her  mother,  who  carefully 
broke  the  intelligence  to  her,  told  her  she  might  prevent  her 
lover  from  exposing  his  life ;  but  the  loyal-hearted  one 
tooked  up  from  her  death-bed,  and  bade  her  chosen  one 
go  with  her  blessing. 

A  young  girl  with  all  a  maiden's  love  of  fine  clothing, 
on  receiving  a  sum  of  money  from  her  father  with  which  to 
purchase  a  silk  dress,  bought  only  calico,  and  gave  the  rest 
of  the  money  to  the  men  who  were  going  forth  to  battle 
for  her  safety. 

Such  are  some  of  the  deeds  of  loyalty  and  patriotism, 
which,  at  the  East,  inaugurated  the  war.  The  Great  "West 
joined  in  this  grand  uprising  of  a  free  people  to  protect  their 
liberties.  Troops  came  from  Michigan  to  defend  Washing- 
ton ;  and  all  through  the  war  the  Western  States  vied  with 
the  Eastern  in  giving  tokens  of  loyalty  by  a  liberal  supply  of 
men  and  means  to  carry  on  the  war.  Volumes  could  easily 
be  written  to  show  the  loyalty,  bravery,  and  patriotism  of  the 
North  and  West.  The  Atlantic  heard  the  cry,  "  To  arms  !  " 
sounded  from  the  Capitol ;  and  the  same  cry  echoed  along 
the  shores  of  the  Pacific.  Maine  gave  her  choicest  sons ; 
and  California,  stirred  by  the  resistless  eloquence  of  Rev. 
T.  Starr  King,  did  not  withhold  her  jewels.  The  enthusiasm 
of  the  people  everywhere  was  intense ;  and  the  civilized 
world  far  over  the  blue  waves  was  soon  looking  with  un- 
wonted interest  to  behold  the  result  of  the  grand  uprising. 


48         FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 


CHAPTER  H. 

COURAGE,    BRAVERY,    ASTD    PATRIOTISM   ON   THE    FIELD. 

"  Shoulder  to  shoulder  r-Me  the  brother-bands, 

Brave  hearts  and  tender,  with  undaunted  eye, 
With  manly  patience  ready  to  endure, 
With  gallant  daring  resolute  to  die." 

HARRIET  BEECHEK  STOWE. 


x^NTHUSIASM  such  as  was  never  seen  before  has  been 
§1  I  i  awakened  for  the  American  flag  during  the  four  years 
of  the  Rebellion,  and  manifested  in  shout  and  song 
wherever  the  beautiful  banner  of  our  country  was  unfurled. 
And  all  along  the  Atlantic  shores,  amid  the  granite  hills  and 
village-decked  valleys  of  New  England,  far  over  the  broad 
prairies  of  the  "West,  and  on  the  green  Pacific  slopes,  —  every- 
where waved  the  gay  stripes  and  blazed  the  silver  stars  of 
our  flag,  gorgeous  in  its  beauty,  serene  in  its  splendor. 
Human  hearts  have  thrilled  at  the  sight  of  its  ample  folds 
floating  on  the  air  of  the  free  Northern  States  ;  human  hands 
have  lifted  it,  rejoicing,  to  the  summit  of  its  staff;  human 
voices  have  uttered  and  echoed  exultant  huzzas  as  the 
flag  that  symbolized  Freedom  and  Union,  flung  out  on  the 


COURAGE  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD.      49 

ambient  air  by  loyal  hands,  cheered  and   gladdened  each 
sympathetic  beholder  like  an  angel  presence.* 

It  is  said,  that  "  as  one  of  the  brigades  of  the  reserve  corps, 
•which  came  up  to  the  rescue  of  Gen.  Thomas  at  Chicka- 
mauga,  was  marching  through  Athens,  Ala.,  a  bright-eyed 
girl  of  four  summers  was  looking  at  the  sturdy  fellows  tramp- 
ing by.  When  she  saw  the  sun  glancing  through  the  stripes  of 
red,  and  on  the  golden  stars  of  the  flag,  she  exclaimed,  clap- 
ping her  hands,  '  O  pa,  pa !  God  made  that  flag.  See  the 
stars  ! '  A  shout,  deep  and  loud,  went  up  from  that  column  ; 
and  many  a  bronzed  veteran  lifted  his  hat  as  he  passed  the 

*  THE  FIRST  AMERICAN  FLAG  IN  ENGLAND.  —  We  copy  from  a  Me- 
moir of  Elkanah  Watson,  in  the  last  number  of  the  "  New-England  Historical 
and  Genealogical  Register,"  the  following  anecdote  of  Copley  the  artist,  who, 
it  will  be  recollected,  was  born  in  Boston,  and  was  the  father  of  the  late 
Lord  Lyndhurst :  — 

"  Soon  after  Mr.  Watson's  arrival  in  England,  he  dined  with  Copley,  the 
distinguished  painter,  a  Bostonian  by  birth;  and  came  to  the  conclusion  to 
expend  a  hundred  guineas,  which  he  had  just  easily  obtained,  for  a  splen- 
did portrait  of  himself  by  that  celebrated  artist. 

"'The  painting  was  finished,'  says  Mr.  Watson  in  his  journal,  '  in  most 
admirable  style,  except  the  background,  which  Copley  and  I  designed  to  rep- 
resent a  ship  bearing  to  America  the  acknowledgment  of  independence,  with 
a  sun  just  rising  upon  the  stripes  of  the  Union  streaming  from  her  gaff. 
All  was  complete,  save  the  flag,  which  Copley  did  not  deem  prudent  to  hoist 
under  present  circumstances,  as  his  gallery  was  a  constant  resort  of  the  royal 
family  and  the  nobility.  I  dined  with  the  artist  on  the  glorious  5th  of  De- 
cember, 1782,  after  listening  with  him  to  the  speech  of  the  king  formally 
recognizing  the  United  States  of  America  as  in  the  rank  of  nations.  Previ- 
ous to  dining,  and  immediately  after  our  return  from  the  House  of  Lords,  he 
invited  me  into  his  studio;  and  there,  with  a  bold  hand,  a  master's  touch, 
and,  I  believe,  an  American  heart,  attached  to  the  ship  the  stars  and  stripes. 
This  was,  I  imagine,  the,  first  American  flag  hoisted  in  Old  England.1  " 

Mrs.  Farrar,  in  her  "  Recollections  of  Seventy  Years,"  speaks  with  com- 
mendable pride,  at  this  hour,  when  the  "  dear  old  flag  "  is  dearer  than  ever, 
of  the  fact  that  a  whaleship,  the  "  Maria,"  belonging  to  her  father,  Wil- 
liam Rotch,  was  the  first  to  sail  beneath  the  American  flag  in  English  waters. 
4 


50         FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

sunny-haired  child,  resolving,  if  his  good  right  arm  availed 
any  thing,  God's  flag  should  conquer."  * 

To  defend  that  flag,  to  save  for  posterity,  as  well  as  for 
ourselves,  all  of  good  and  of  glory  which  that  dear  banner 
represents,  our  brave  boys  went  forth  to  battle.  The  fairest, 
bravest  of  New-England  homes,  the  pride  of  the  young  and 
growing  "West,  the  stout-hearted  men  of  the  Middle  States, 
all  went,  as  to  a  gala-feast,  or  to  the  mount  of  sacrifice, 
with  willing  hearts  and  unswerving  footsteps.  The  record 
of  their  heroic  achievements  gilds  the  lately  written  pages 
of  our  country's  history  with  an  undying  lustre. 

The  "  New- York  Commercial  Advertiser"  says,  "  At  the 
depot,  an  affecting  incident  occurred.  Col.  Munroe,  of  the 
Eighth,  being  loudly  called  for,  appeared,  surrounded  by*Gen. 
Butler,  Lieut.-Col.  Hinks,  and  the  rest  of  his  staff.  A.  M. 
Griswold,  Esq.,  a  prominent  member  of  the  Xew-York 
bar,  stepped  forward,  holding  in  his  hand  a  magnificent 
silk  flag,  mounted  on  a  massive  hickory  staff.  He  addressed 
the  colonel  of  the  regiment  as  follows :  '  Col.  Munroe,  — 
Sir,  you  are  from  Massachusetts,  God  bless  her !  Her 
sons  everywhere  are  proud  of  her  history  ;  and,  while  her 
armies  are  commanded  by  such  officers  as  are  now  at  their 
head,  we  have  faith  in  her  future.  As  a  son  of  Massachu- 
setts, I  beg  leave  to  present  this  standard  as  a  token  of  my 
appreciation  of  the  cause  in  which  you  are  engaged.  I  con- 
fide it  to  your  keeping.  Stand  by  it ! ' 

"  Col.  Munroe  responded,  saying,  '  As  a  son  of  Massachn- 

*  Harper's  Weekly. 


COURAGE  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD.       51 

setts,  I  receive  it  from  a  son  of  her  soil,  and  will  defend  it, 
God  helping  me.' 

"  The  cheering  which  followed  was  deafening.  Nine  cheers 
were  proposed  and  given  for  the  flag  ;  and,  at  that  moment, 
eight  hundred  hardy  soldiers,  just  arrived  from  the  sacred 
precincts  of  Bunker  Hill,  vowed  solemnly  to  defend  that 
flag  with  life  and  honor." 

The  truthful  historian  cannot  ignore  the  claims  of  the 
domestic  champions,  the  genuine  liffome  Guard,"  who,  with- 
out ostentation,  bore  their  part  in  the  struggle  for  Liberty 
and  Union  by  aiding  and  encouraging  those  who  buckled 
on  the  armor  for  a  conflict  waged  before  the  eyes  of  an  on- 
looking  world.  The  brave  at  home  should  not  be  forgotten. 

"  The  maid  who  binds  her  warrior's  sash 

With  smile  that  well  her  pain  dissembles, 
The  while  beneath  her  drooping  lash 

One  starry  teardrop  hangs  and  trembles, 
Though  Heaven  alone  records  the  tear, 

And  Fame  shall  never  know  her  story, 
Her  heart  shall  shed  a  drop  as  dear 

As  ever  dewed  the  field  of  glory. 


The  wife  who  girds  her  husband's  sword 

'Mid  little  ones  who  weep  or  wonder, 
And  gravely  speaks  the  cheering  word, 

What  though  her  heart  be  rent  asunder, 
Doomed  nightly  in  her  dreams  to  hear 

The  bolts  of  war  around  him  rattle, 
Hath  shed  as  sacred  blood  as  e'er 

Was  poured  upon  a  field  of  battle. 


52        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

The  mother  who  conceals  her  grief 

When  to  her  breast  her  son  she  presses, 
Then  breathes  a  few  brave  words  and  brief, 

Kissing  the  patriot  brow  she  blesses, 
With  no  one  but  her  secret  God 

To  know  the  pain  that  weighs  npon  her, 
Sheds  holy  blood  as  e'er  the  sod 

Received  on  Freedom's  field  of  honor."  * 

Not  of  them  is  it  now  proposed  to  speak,  though  this 
chapter  is  one  which  will  unfold  a  panorama  of  courage, 
heroism,  and  patriotism,  such  as  even  Rome  herself  never 
rivalled. 

That  courage  which  is  self-sacrificing,  that  heroism  which 
does  not  wait  till  bullets  whistle  overhead,  that  patriotism 
•which  is  nerved  to  gallant  deeds  by  the  thought  of  home 
and  loved  ones,  was  often  shown  by  our  brave  defenders, 
even  before  they  started  for  the  field  of  blood.  The  follow- 
ing story,  said  to  be  authentic,  and  which  is,  after  all,  but  a 
type  of  many  similar  affecting  scenes,  illustrates  the  above 
assertion :  — 

"  A  whole  family,  mother  and  five  children,  led  by  their 
stalwart  head,  the  husband  and  father,  presented  themselves 
a  few  days  since  to  Chairman  Blunt,  in  New  York,  for  the  six- 
hundred-dollars'  bounty  ;  he,  the  husband,  having  just  been 
examined  and  mustered  in.  It  was  a  large  family,  and  a 
sorrowful  one,  —  all  except  the  little  tow-headed  fellow  in  its 
mother's  arms,  who  was  leaping  and  crowing  as  though  he 
really  thought  it  was  excellent  fun,  a  capital  joke.  The  family 

«  T.  Buchanan  Read. 


COURAGE  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD.       53 

appeared  like  a  respectable  one,  though  the  hand  of  poverty 
evidently  rested  heavily  upon  it ;  and  this,  most  likely,  wag 
the  last  resort,  the  last  hope,  the  throwing  of  one  overboard 
to  save  the  rest. 

"As  Mr.  Blnnt  counted  the  money,  — one,  two,  three,  four, 
five,  six  hundred  dollars, — and  presented  it,  a  kind  of  sickly, 
faint  smile  was  visible  through  the  unbidden  tears  which 
were  coursing  down  his  cheeks  ;  for  his  time,  he  knew,  with 
his  family,  its  joys  and  hopes,  was  now  about  up.  His 
children  were  clinging  to  his  legs,  begging  him  not  to  leave 
them :  his  wife,  too  full  to  speak,  looked  unutterable  griefs, 
and  clung  all  the  closer  to  her  babe.  The  money  was  all 
right :  he  held  it  in  his  hand,  —  more  than  he  had  owned  at 
once  during  all  his  lifetime.  '  God  bless  you,  wife  and 
children  !  we  must  now  part,  perhaps  forever.  This  money, 
wife,  is  yours  :  but  let  me  give  some  to  each  ;  it  will  gratify 
me,  and  will  go  to  you  whenever  you  want  it.  Here,  wife, 
is  one  hundred  dollars  for  you  :  may  Heaven  bless  it  and 
you  !  Here,  Billy,  is  one  hundred  dollars  for  you  :  be  good 
and  true  to  your  mother,  and,  as  you  are  the  oldest,  watch 
faithfully  over  your  brothers  and  sisters.  James,  here  is 
one  hundred  dollars  for  you  :  give  it  to  your  mother  when- 
ever she  wants  it.  Mary,  take  this  hundred  dollars :  be 
a  good  girl,  and  in  your  pi^ayers  remember  your  father. 
Come  here,  my  pet  Alice :  here  is  one  hundred  dollars  for 
you  to  keep  until  good  mamma  requires  it.  And  now,  my 
little  toad  without  a  name,  — yes,  let  us  call  him  Hope.  Do 
you  say  so,  wife?'  It  was  assented  to.  'Then  here,  you 
little  crowing  cock,  —  bless  the  little  fellow  !  —  I  may  never 


54         FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL  AND  PRISON, 

see  him  again.  Kiss  me,  boy !  Here,  put  this  hundred 
dollars  in  your  little  hand  ;  and  don't  eat  it,  but  pass  it  over 
to  your  mother  as  soon  as  possible.' 

"  The  noble-hearted  fellow's  heavy  frame  seemed  to  quiver 
all  over  as  he  finished  his  distribution,  and  knew  that  his 
time  had  come.  He  embraced  each  and  all  separately,  and 
declared  himself  ready  to  go. 

"  '  But,'  says  Mr.  Blunt,  '  there  is  another  hundred  dol- 
lars coming  to  you,  —  the  hand-money.  Who  brought  you 
here  ? '  — '  That  wee  bit  of  a  babe,  your  honor  :  I'd  never 
come  in  the  world  had  it  not  been  for  that  dear  babe.' 
'Well,  then,  the  hand-money  or  premium  belongs  to  him.' 
*  Bless  me  !  is  it  so  ?  Wife,  put  that  hundred  dollars  into  the 
savings  bank  for  Hope,  and  never  touch  it,  if  you  can  help 
it,  —  if  you  can  help  it,  mind,  —  until  he  comes  of  age.  God 
bless  the  little  fellow !  He  starts  well  in  the  world,  after 
all,  and  may  yet  be  President.' 

"  The  man  stepped  upon  the  platform  of  the  turn-stile, 
and  Avas  whirled  in,  out  of  sight  of  the  world  and  all  he  loved. 
The  whole  scene  was  a  most  touching  one,  —  one  of  true 
family  affection,  and  long  to  be  remembered  by  all  who 
witnessed  it." 

Such  scenes  often  occurred ;  and  though  some  may  hare 
joined  the  army  just  to  obtain  the  bounty-money,  yet 
where  poverty,  or  even  avarice,  drove  one  man  to  enlist,  un- 
alloyed patriotism  induced  ten  to  put  on  the  "  army  blue." 
Men  thought  of  their  little  ones,  and  enlisted,  sometimes,  it 
is  true,  in  order  to  procure  the  means  of  supporting  them  ; 
but,  when  they  fought,  it  was  for  the  rights  of  those  children, 


COURAGE  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD.       55 

which  were  dearer  than  all.  That  they  fought  bravely,  all 
who  read  aright,  the  records  of  each  terrible  conflict  know 
full  well.  Some  "chronicles  of  the  fight"  are  subjoined, 
which  give  evidence  of  courage  and  patriotic  enthusiasm. 

MASSACHUSETTS  BRAVERY.  —  A  correspondent  of  the 
"New-York  Tribune"  gives  the  following  statistics  and 
anecdote  in  evidence  of  the  bravery  of  Massachusetts 
troops  in  battle  :  — 

"Hooker's  division,  as  was  expected  of  them,  'fought 
like  brave  men,  long  and  well,  and  heaped  the  ground  with 
rebel  slain.'  This  division  is  known  here  as  the  fighting 
division  ;  and,  as  an  evidence  of  their  work,  it  may  be  proper 
to  state  that  they  came  on  to  the  Peninsula  eleven  thousand 
strong,  and  now  number  less  than  five  thousand  effective 
men.  Among  the  regiments  of  this  division  which  suffered 
most  severely  were  the  Massachusetts  First,  Eleventh,  and 
Sixteenth.  Of  the  latter  regiment,  about  eighty  were  either 
killed  or  seriously  wounded. 

"  A  little  incident  will  show  the  spirit  of  the  Massachu- 
setts Sixteenth.  When  the  Massachusetts  First  were  ordered 
to  charge,  the  men  of  the  Sixteenth,  addressing  the  colonel 
of  the  First,  said,  '  May  we  not  charge  with  you  ?  You  are 
not  strong  enough  to  charge  that  solid  column  of  rebels 
alone.  We  have  no  officers  left.  Our  colonel  is  dead,  and 
our  lieutenant-colonel  and  adjutant  wounded.  So,  if  you 
will  lead  us,  we  would  like  to  charge  with  you.'  They  did 
charge,  with  an  effect  that  the  rebels  will  be  likely  to  re- 
member for  some  time.  I  would  say  more  about  the 


56         FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

splendid  fighting  of  the  Massachusetts  troops  on  this  occa- 
sion, only  for  the  fact  that  the  Old  Bay  State  has  a  history 
which  the  world  knows  by  heart ;  and  to  tell  our  readers 
that  Massachusetts  soldiers  are  brave,  and  that  they  do  their 
duty,  is  to  tell  them  what  they  instinctively  know.  'God 
bless  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  ! ' " 

INCIDENTS  OF  THE  FIGHT  AT  BALL'S  BLUFF.  —  Mr.  P. 
H.  Hildreth,  of  Groton,  communicates  to  the  "Worcester 
Spy"  some  interesting  incidents  of  the  battle  of  Ball's 
Bluff,  narrated  to  him  at  Poolesville  by  the  soldiers,  after 
that  disastrous  struggle.  One  liftle  Irishman  of  Company  I, 
belonging  in  Webster,  got  six  bullet-holes  through  his  coat, 
but  not  a  scratch  on  his  body.  He  said  he  didn't  mind  the 
danger,  but  they  were  shabby  rascals  to  spoil  his  coat ;  said 
he  should  wear  it,  however,  while  a  rag  of  it  remained. 
'Tis  a  coat  of  honor  to  him.  Another  incident  was  as 
follows :  — 

"  One  of  the  privates  of  Company  H  had  a  ball  shot 
through  both  legs,  without,  however,  injuring  the  bone.  He 
still  kept  his  place  in  the  ranks,  loading  and  firing  wherever 
he  could  see  a  rebel,  until  another  wound  in  the  thigh  pros- 
trated him.  His  comrades  were  about  to  bear  him  from  the 
field  ;  when  he  came  sufficiently  near  to  request  them  to  prop 
him  up  against  a  tree,  where  he  did  his  duty  nobly,  with  his 
three  wounds  in  front,  until  another  shot  struck  him  in  the 
leg,  just  below  the  knee,  burying  itself  in  the  bone.  This 
last  was  too  much  for  him  to  stand  up  under  ;  and  he  allowed 
himself  to  be  carried  from  the  field,  saying,  as  he  went,  to 


COURAGE  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD.       57 

his  comrades,  '  Give  'em  Jessie,  boys  :  I'll  be  back  and  help 
you  soon.'  He  was  very  low  when  I  left,  and  I  fear  he  is 
dead  before  this ;  but,  if  so,  his  wife  and  family,  while  they 
mourn  his  loss,  may,  and  I  trust  will,  glory  in  his  fame.  A 
grateful  country  should  remember  them  substantially." 

An  officer  of  Company  A,  who  was  in  the  hospital,  when 
he  learned  that  a  detachment  of  the  Fifteenth  was  ordered 
across  the  river,  insisted  on  joining  them,  declaring  to  his 
attendants,  who  tried  to  dissuade  him,  that  the  thought  of  a 
fight  with  the  rebels  would  give  him  strength.  He  went, 
fought  through  the  day ;  and  the  men  said  the  fight  seemed 
to  suit  him.  P.  Jorgeson,  orderly-sergeant  of  the  same 
company,  saw  a  rebel  aim  at  him  while  loading,  and  hurried 
to  get  the  first  shot ;  but  the  rebel  was  too  quick.  The  bul- 
let of  the  rebel  cut  a  hole  in  Jorgeson's  tin  plate,  which  was 
swung  under  his  arm ;  when  he  exclaimed  in  broken  Eng- 
lish, "  Ah  !  you  fire  well,  you  spoil  Uncle  Sam's  crockery, 
—  I  pay  you  for  dat," — drew  up  his  gun,  shot  him  through 
the  breast,  and  dropped  him.  Just  as  he  fired,  another  rebel 
sighted  him,  and  shot  him  through  the  arm.  This  is  the 
third  wound  he  has  received  in  his  third  war,  —  once  in 
Germany,  once  in  Mexico,  and  now  at  Ball's  Bluff. 

Charles  B.  Pratt,  Esq.,  was  despatched  by  Mayor  Davis, 
of  Worcester,  to  the  scene  of  action,  with  instructions  to 
offer  the  Massachusetts  Fifteenth  Regiment,  in  behalf  of  the 
city,  any  assistance  or  succor  they  might  require.  The  duty 
was  promptly  performed ;  and  Mr.  Pratt  returned  with  this 
message  :  "  Tell  our  friends  at  home  that  we  want  immedi- 
ately three  hundred  and  ten  men  to  fill  the  places  of  those 


58        FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

killed  and  missing,  and  a  blanket  and  pair  of  mittens  for 
each  of  us.     This  is  all  we  ask  of  them  for  the  present." 

Massachusetts  was  not  alone  in  her  deeds  of  valor ; 
though,  from  a  Massachusetts  writer,  she  may  possibly  have 
her  full  share  of  praise  in  a  volume  devoted  to  incidents  of 
the  war. 

The  green  sods  of  Missouri  cover  the  remains  of  a  gallant 
Iowa  volunteer,  whose  fame  belongs  to  both  New  England 
and  the  "West ;  for  he  was  born  in  Massachusetts.* 

"While  taking  dinner  at  a  farm-house  in  Kirksville,  Mo., 
within  two  miles  of  the  enemy  s  camp,  the  little  band  of 
only  six  members  of  Company  C  was  surrounded  by  rebels, 
twenty-five  in  number,  who  demanded  a  surrender. 

"  The  Iowa  Third  never  surrenders  !  "  replied  the  daunt- 
less young  leader,  and  ordered  his  men  to  fire.  A  severe 
conflict  commenced,  which  continued  for  some  time.  Young 
Dix,  finding  it  difficult  to  get  a  shot  at  his  country's  foes,  who 
skulked  behind  fences  and  trees,  left  the  house  with  two  of 
his  men,  Sergeant  Still  and  Private  Schoonover,  and  en- 
gaged them  with  his  revolver,  with  which  he  was  a  crack 
shot;  but  the  contest  was  too  unequal.  He  shot  down 
three  of  the  rebels,  and  wounded  another,  when  he  was  him- 
self shot  by  one  of  the  besiegers :  the  ball  passed  through 
his  head,  killing  him  instantly.  The  rebels  then  fled,  leaving 
six  of  their  number  killed,  and  a  seventh  mortally  wounded. 
Five  others  were  wounded,  but  succeeded  in  getting  off. 

*  Lieut.  Hervey  Dix,  only  brother  of  the  late  editor  of  the  "  Boston 
Journal,"  — James  A.  Dix,  Esq. 


COURAGE  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD.       59 

On  the  next  day,  Lieut.  Crawford  of  the  Iowa  regiment, 
with  a  detachment,  visited  the  scene  of  this  conflict.  The 
wounded  rebel  had  been  taken  into  the  farm-house, 
where  he  was  just  dying :  with  his  last  breath,  he  paid 
a  striking  tribute  to  the  memory  of  his  conqueror. 
"Lieut.  Dix,"  said  the  dying  man,  "  was  the  bravest, 
man  I  ever  saw :  if  the  North  has  many  such,  we  had 
better  give  up." 

The  body  of  the  young  and  gallant  Dix  was  tenderly  pre- 
pared for  the  grave  by  a  noble-hearted  Western  lady,  and 
interred  in  the  village  cemetery,  where  an  appropriate  stone 
is  erected  to  his  memory. 

Surprise  is  often  expressed  that  even  mere  youths  exhibit 
great  fearlessness  in  battle. 

The  story  of  the  drummer-boy  of  Marblchead  is  a  case 
in  point.  Rev.  Mr.  Thayer  thus  narrates  it :  — 

"The  name  of  the  drummer-boy  was  Albert  Manson. 
He  had  a  great  desire  to  do  something  for  his  country ;  and 
he  thought  he  could  drum  for  it  if  he  could  not  fight  for  it. 
His  father  consented  that  he  might  go  as  drummer ;  and 
afterward  the  father  himself  concluded  that  he  would  enlist 
in  order  to  look  after  his  son. 

"  The  father  fell  wounded  in  that  bold  and  violent  assault 
upon  the  enemy's  works  by  the  Twenty-third  Massachusetts. 
The  son  was  at  his  side  at  the  time,  using  a  musket  that  he 
had  picked  up  ;  and  he  was  so  intent  upon  conquering  the 
foe,  that  he  scarcely  heeded  his  father's  fall. 

"  'Look  at  that  child  ! '  exclaimed  one  officer  to  another. 
'  No  wonder  we  conquer,  when  boys  fight  so  ! ' 


60        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

" '  Didn't  I  say  that  they  should  run  to  the  old  tunes  ? ' 
shouted  the  boy  as  the  enemy  fled  ;  at  the  same  time  seizing 
a  disabled  revolver  for  a  drum-stick,  and  striking  up  in  a 
defiant  way  the  old  strain  of  '  Yankee  Doodle.' 

"  A  rebel  heard  it,  and,  turning  round,  took  sure  aim  at 
Albert.  A  soldier  by  the  young  patriot's  side  tried  to  pull 
him  down  :  but  he  stood  his  ground,  beating  the  tune ;  and 
the  fatal  ball  struck  him. 

"  Col.  Kurtz  lifted  the  dying  lad  in  his  arms.  He  spoke 
to  him,  and  the  boy's  lips  moved  in  reply. 

"'What,  Albert?' 

"'Which  beat? — quick,  tell  me  !'  said  the  little  hero. 

"  Tears  ran  like  rain  down  the  blackened  faces  ;  and 
one  in  a  husky  voice  replied,  — 

"  'We,  Albert :  the  field  is  ours  ! ' 

"His  ear  caught  the  sound;  but  he  did  not  quite  under- 
stand, dying  as  he  was. 

'"What?  —  tell  quick  ! '  he  whispered. 

" '  We  beat  'em  entirely,  me  boy  ! '  answered  a  big  Irish 
sergeant,  who  was  crying  like  a  baby. 

"He  understood  these  words,  and  in  a  stronger  voice 
than  ever  said,  '  Why  don't  you  go  after  'em  ?  Don't 
mind  me  :  I'll  catch  up.  I'm  a  little  cold  ;  but  running  will 
warm  me.' 

"  He  never  spoke  again.  His  young  spirit  passed  away 
without  a  struggle  ;  and  many  soldiers  wept  that  their  brave 
drummer-boy  was  no  more." 

A  writer  in  the  "Louisville  Journal"  thus  graphically 
describes  his  emotions  during  a  sanguinary  struggle :  — 


COURAGE  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD.       61 

"  I  remember  well  my  feelings  during  the  first  battle  in 
which  I  was  engaged.  The  night  before,  we  received  or- 
ders to  prepare  to  attack  the  enemy  early  on  the  morrow. 
All  was  now  bustle,  hurry,  and  anxiety.  Guns  were  cleaned, 
ammunition  inspected,  straps  adjusted,  canteens  filled,  knap- 
sacks lightened,  letters  written.  We  had  several  in  our 
company  who  had  always  boasted  of  their  bravery  and 
prowess  ;  men  who  had  been  '  spoiling  for  a  fight,'  as  they 
said.  These  were  now  as  still  as  mice :  they  didn't  peep. 
One  of  them,  who  had  taken  a  master's  degree  in  all  kinds 
of  profanity,  now  borrowed  a  Bible,  sat  down  and  read  it  for 
some  time,  and  intimated  to  his  messmate  the  propriety  of 
praying  before  going  to  sleep  that  night.  It  is  not  yotrr 
blustering,  profane  bravado  that  is  the  brave  man  on  the 
field  of  battle  :  it  is  your  quiet,  patient,  retiring  man. 

"  I  confess,  a  feeling  of  dread  and  anxiety  stole  over  me. 
Battle  was  certain,  the  enemy  was  strongly  posted,  and  we 
had  desperate  work  before  us.  I  wanted  to  go  into  battle  ; 
yet  I  dreaded  it  like  death.  I  slept  but  little  that  night. 
The  morning  came ;  and  our  columns  moved  quietly  and 
sternly  forward  through  a  wood.  The  first  intimation  we 
had  of  the  enemy  was  the  skirmishing  between  his  outposts 
and  our  vanguard  ;  the  former  falling  back  as  the  latter  ad- 
vanced. We  passed  out  of  the  wood,  and  rapidly  deployed 
into  line  of  battle ;  a  gentle  sloping  hill  hiding  the  enemy 
from  our  view.  A  part  of  our  force  had  been  sent  round 
to  make  a  flank  and  rear  attack  on  the  enemy ;  and,  while 
so  doing,  it  was  of  the  utmost  importance  that  we  should 
hold  his  attention  in  front.  We  marched  steadily  up  the 


62        FIELD,   GUyBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AXD  PRISON. 

hill  till  the  whole  line  of  the  enemy  burst  upon  our  view : 
there  we  halted,  and  for  some  minutes  not  a  gun  was  fired 
on  either  side.  There  stood  the  two  armies,  each  waiting 
for  the  other  to  begin  the  work  of  death.  The  faces  of  our 
men  looked  pale  and  determined :  some  of  them  stood  like 
statues,  others  were  nervous  and  uneasy.  It  was  the  time 
to  test  their  courage.  A  line  of  cannon  was  bearing  directly 
upon  us.  Death  to  many  of  us  was  certain.  '  Who  will  it 
be  ? '  thought  I.  A  singular  feeling  came  over  me  :  a  con- 
fused image  of  a  mother  and  sister  appeared  flitting  and 
floating  before  my  imagination  like  dissolving  shadows, 
while  the  tremendous  reality  in  front  oppressed  me  with 
dreadful  forebodings. 

"A  few  moments  passed  like  those  that  intervene  between 
drawing  the  cap  over  the  criminal's  face  and  letting  fall 
the  drop,  when  a  puff  of  smoke  from  one  of  the  cannon, 
followed  by  a  crash  and  a  bomb,  went  screaming  over  us. 
Our  men  ducked  down  their  heads  like  geese.  Fire  was 
now  opened  on  us  along  the  enemy's  entire  line.  Their  first 
shots  were  aimed  too  high :  they  gradually  lowered  them. 
Every  discharge  brought  their  balls  fearfully  nearer.  "We 
were  impatient  to  return  the  fire,  but  dare  not  till  the  com- 
mand was  given.  Our  colonel  passed  along  in  front  of  the 
line,  and  urged  us  to  stand  firm  till  the  proper  time,  and 
the  day  would  be  ours.  It  is  a  task  to  hold  men  exposed  to 
an  enemy's  fire  without  allowing  them  to  return  it.  They 
will  soon  run  one  way  or  the  other.  The  enemy's  shot 
now  began  to  howl  around  us,  plough  through  our  ranks,  and 
tear  up  the  earth  about  our  feet.  A  six-pound  ball  cut  off 


COURAGE  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD.       63 

the  bayonet  of  my  messmate  on  my  left :  a  moment  more, 
and  one  struck  him  in  the  breast,  severing  him  almost  in 
twain.  He  reeled,  and  fell  like  a  log.  The  hot  blood  from 
his  heart  spurted  full  in  my  face.  Great  God,  how  I  felt ! 
A  faint,  sickening  sensation  came  over  me.  I  stooped  down 
over  him.  He  smiled  faintly,  spoke  my  name,  gasped,  and 
expired.  He  was  frightfully  mangled.  I  was  maddened  to 
desperation.  All  thought  of  fear  vanished :  I  could  have 
fought  thousands.  The  command '  Fire  ! '  rang  along  the  line  ; 
and  a  tremendous  crash  of  musketry  answered  the  command. 
"We  now  loaded  and  fired  for  life.  Dense  volumes  of  sul- 
phurous smoke  hung  like  a  pall  over  us,  and  shut  out 
the  enemy  from  our  sight.  The  battle  grew  warm  and 
bloody.  The  rattle  of  musketry,  the  screaming  of  shells, 
the  thunders  of  the  artillery,  the  whistling  of  bullets,  the 
shouts  of  command,  commingled  with  curses,  prayers,  and 
groans  of  the  wounded  and  dying,  filled  all  the  air.  Our 
men,  black  with  smoke  and  powder,  looked  like  devils  in- 
carnate, as  they  plied  their  work  of  death. 

"  At  length  a  breeze  rolled  away  the  smoke  that  shrouded 
us,  and  disclosed  our  other  columns  bearing  down  upon  the 
enemy's  flank.  Now  was  the  decisive  moment.  '  Charge 
bayonets  ! '  rang  out ;  and  with  loud  shouts  we  rushed  for- 
ward to  the  assault.  A  storm  of  grape  and  canister  was 
hurled  against  us  as  we  neared  the  batteries.  Like  mad- 
dened tigers,  our  men  leaped  forward  with  the  cold  steel. 
The  struggle  over  the  guns  was  desperate  :  it  was  a  butchery 
savage  in  the  extreme.  The  enemy  soon  broke  and  fled, 
leaving  us  masters  of  the  field.  Since  that  time,  I  have  not 


64         FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

felt  the  least  dread  or  hesitation  on  entering  a  battle.  After 
the  first  few  shots,  I  fire  away  as  coolly  as  when  hunting 
squirrels." 

In  battle-time,  the  effect  of  a  stirring  song  or  tune  is 
often  electrical.  The  Western  armies  have  one  of  this  char- 
acter, called  "  The  Battle-cry  of  Freedom,"  which  is  de- 
scribed as  of  most  potent  effect :  — 

"  In  either  Grant's  or  Rosecrans's  army,  it  only  needs  to 
be  started  to  be  caught  up  from  camp  to  camp,  till  it  spreads 
for  miles  over  the  whole  army.  By  order  of  a  general 
commanding  one  division  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland, 
the  colonel  of  each  regiment  is  directed  to  start  the  '  Battle 
Cry '  whenever  the  army  goes  into  action  ;  and  the  effect  of 
thousands  of  voices  united  upon  the  chorus,  — 

'  The  Union  forever!    Hurrah,  boys !  hurrah  ! 
Down  with  the  traitor !  up  with  the  stars  ! 
While  we  rally  round  the  flag,  boys,  rally  once  again, 
Shouting  the  battle-cry  of  Freedom  ! '  — 

is  described  as  awakening  a  frenzied  enthusiasm  perfectly 
indescribable. 

"  It  is  evident  from  its  effect  that  this  is  one  of  the  few 
songs  not  written  '  to  order,'  but  written  because  the  author 
could  not  help  it.  The  great  number  of  thrilling  circum- 
stances under  which  this  song  has  been  sung  in  the  army 
added  to  its  popularity.  "When  G-eu.  Blair's  brigade,  that 
led  the  assault  upon  Vicksburg  last  fall,  after  being  hurled 
again  and  again  upon  the  enemy's  fortifications,  only  to  see 
each  time  a  ghastly  proportion  of  their  numbers  go  down  in 


COURAGE  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD.       65 

death,  were  at  last  ordered  to  retire,  the  brave  fellows  closed 
up  their  shattered  battalions,  and  came  out  of  the  smoke  of 
that  terrible  carnage,  singing, — 

'  Yes,  we'll  rally  round  the  flag,  boys,  we'll  rally  once  again, 
Shouting  the  battle-cry  of  Freedom ! ' 

"  We  are  not  surprised  that  the  remembrance  of  that  scene 
drew  tears  from  the  officer  who  described  it  to  us ;  and 
when,  after  months  of  hardship,  assault,  and  battle,  these 
same  troops  ran  up  the  stars  and  stripes  over  this  same  rebel 
stronghold,  Gen.  McPherson  and  staff,  on  the  cupola  of  the 
court-house,  fittingly  started  the  same  song ;  and  we  can 
imagine  with  what  a  will  it  was  sung  by  Grant's  entire 
army." 

Here  is  a  glorious  record  concerning  one  of  our  adopted 
citizens,  which  may  go  to  the  credit  of  Pennsylvania :  — 

A  BRAVE  STANDARD-BEARER. — A  correspondent,  giving 
an  account  of  the  battle  at  Winchester,  says,  "  Among 
the  acts  of  chivalry  performed  on  the  field  was  one  by  Pri- 
vate Graham,  of  the  Eighty-fourth  Pennsylvania.  He  car- 
ried the  regimental  standard  :  the  left  hand,  which  held  it, 
was  shot  off;  but,  before  the  star-spangled  banner  fell  to  the 
ground,  he  grasped  it  in  the  remaining  hand,  and  held  it 
triumphantly.  The  right  arm  was  next  disabled ;  but,  be- 
fore the  colors  fell,  he  was  killed  by  a  third  ball.  He  was 
a  native  of  the  Emerald  Isle." 

The  following  anecdote  gives  proof  of  a  patriotism  which 
many  waters  cannot  quench : — 


66        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

"ONE  LEG  MORE  FOR  HIS  COUNTRY.  —  During  the  re- 
cent visit  of  Secretary  Cameron  to  New  York,  a  member 
of  the  Seventy-ninth  Regiment,  who  was  in  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  and  near  Col.  Cameron  when  he  fell,  called  upon 
the  secretary.  He  had  been  severely  wounded  and  taken 
prisoner,  carried  to  Richmond,  and  there  suffered  an  ampu- 
tation of  one  of  his  legs.  He  came  hobbling  into  the  sec- 
retary's room  on  crutches,  and  begged  to  be  permitted  to  go 
to  the  war  again,  saying  that  he  thought  he  could  still  be  of 
service  to  the  country,  even  on  crutches.  Mr.  Cameron  did 
not  question  his  capacity,  but  told  him  the  first  preliminary 
was  to  get  a  mate  to  his  remaining  extremity.  The  man 
said  he  couldn't  afford  that  luxury,  and  insisted  upon  the 
validity  of  crutches.  Mr.  Cameron  then  told  him  to  go  to  a 
limb-seller's,  and  buy  the  best  leg  he  could  find,  and  send  the 
bill  to  him.  The  wounded  soldier  went  on  his  way  rejoi- 
cing." 

Read  this  patriotic  answer.  Loyal  hearts,  far  and  near, 
respond  to  it. 

When  Col.  Ripley  stepped  ashore  from  the  "Persia"  at 
New  York,  a  gentleman  said  to  him,  "  Your  country  needs 
you."  —  "It  can  have  me,"  responded  the  gallant  soldier, 
"  and  every  drop  of  blood  in  me." 

Here  is  an  instance  which  should  go  to  the  credit  of  Cali- 
fornia as  well  as  New  England  ;  for  the  Eldorado  country  is 
full  of  just  such  emigrants  from  the  Atlantic  shores  :  — 

"TlNALLOTED  PATRIOTISM. — A  case  of  unselfish  and  per- 
severing patriotism  has  come  to  our  notice,  which  we  think 


COURAGE  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD.       67 

deserving  of  public  record.  Mr.  Harvey  G.  Smith  of  Bos- 
ton, who  for  the  last  eleven  years  has  been  engaged  in 
mining-business  at  Downieville,  Sierra  County,  Cal.,  in  No- 
vember last  arranged  his  business  so  that  it  could  be  left 
in  the  care  of  an  agent,  in  order  that  he  might  enter  upon 
the  service  of  his  country,  and  contribute  his  mite  towards 
putting  down  the  Rebellion.  Having  been  for  many  years  a 
sailor,  he  proposed  to  enter  the  naval  service  ;  and,  repairing 
to  Washington,  he  made  application  for  an  appointment  as 
sailing-master  or  master's  mate  ;  but,  notwithstanding  his  ap- 
plication was  indorsed  by  the  Congress-men  from  California, 
it  was  unsuccessful. 

"  Mr.  Smith  then  applied  to  Gov.  Andrew  for  a  commission 
of  some  sort,  but  got  none.  Determined  to  serve  his  country 
in  some  capacity,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  Twenty- 
ninth  Massachusetts  Regiment,  Col.  Pierce.  A  man  who 
will  relinquish  his  business,  and  travel  three  or  four  thou- 
sand miles  at  his  own  expense  for  the  purpose  of  fight- 
ing the  enemies  of  his  country,  is  certainly  entitled  to  hon- 
orable mention,  if  not  to  a  commission.  Such  devoted  pa- 
triotism is  remarkable  even  in  these  days,  when  bright 
examples  of  self-sacrifice  are  numerous."  * 

Here  are  a  couple  of  newspaper  paragraphs  which  match 
each  other,  and  speak  well  for  both  East  and  West.  The 
first  is  from  the  "  South-Danvers  Wizard  :  "  — 

"  ROCKVILLE,  ALL  HAIL  !  —  There  is  a  small  village  of 
this  town,  bordering  on  Lynn  and  Lynnfield,  comprising  a 

*  Boston  Journal. 


68         FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

single  school  district,  and  with  less  than  a  hundred  voters, 
which  has  sent  seventy-five  men  to  the  war  !  We  have  not 
yet  heard  of  the  commnnity  which  lias  sent  such  a  propor- 
tion of  its  members.  None  but  the  old  and  infirm  are  left 
behind.  One  family  named  Woodman  sends  five,  being  all 
its  male  members.  One  of  the  last  men  who  enlisted  went 
to  Lieut.  Warner  at  Salem  yesterday,  and  begged  to  be  en- 
rolled, as  he  said  he  couldn't  find  a  loafer  to  talk  with  in  all 
Rockville  ! 

"  Mrs.  Sarah  Larrabee,  of  Rockville,  has  now  four  sons,  sev- 
enteen grandsons,  and  one  great-grandson,  in  the  army.  The 
old  lady  of  eighty-five  years  yesterday  walked  to  Salem  to 
see  the  last  of  them  depart  for  the  battle-field,  and  then 
walked  back,  about  six  miles." 

The  second  paragraph  is  from  the  pen  of  Rev.  A.  V. 
House,  in  "  The  Home  Missionary  :  "  — 

"  IOWA  :  WESTERN  PATRIOTISM.  —  I  have  just  returned 
from  the  meeting  of  our  association  ;  and  perhaps  some  of 
the  particulars  of  my  journey  may  not  be  wholly  uninterest- 
ing to  you.     To  give  you  an  idea  of  the  patriotism  of  the 
Western  people  in  these  times  of  war,  I  will  mention  that  I 
met  more  women  driving  teams  on  the  road,  and  saw  more 
of  them  at  work  in  the  fields,  than  men.    They  seem  to  have 
said  to  their  husbands,  in  the  language  of  a  favorite  song, — 
'Just  take  your  gun,  and  go  ; 
For  Ruth  can  drive  the  oxen,  John, 
And  I  can  use  the  hoe.' 

"  I  first  went  to  Clariuda,  and  the  town  seemed  deserted. 


COURAGE  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD.       69 

Upon  inquiring  for  former  friends,  the  frequent  answer  was, 
'  In  the  army.'  From  Hawleyville,  almost  all  the  thorough- 
ly loyal  male  inhabitants  have  gone ;  and  in  one  town- 
ship beyond,  where  I  formerly  preached,  there  are  but  seven 
men  left ;  and  at  Quincy,  the  county  seat  of  Adams  County, 
but  five." 

Some  of  our  brave  boys  met  "with  narrow  escapes  in 
battle. 

"  Sergeant  Charles  H.  Frye,  of  Salem,  Company  F, 
Twenty-first  Regiment,  son  of  Mr.  James  S.  Frye,  had  a  very 
curious  and  narrow  escape  from  death  at  the  battle  of 
Fredericksburg,  which  will  bear  relating.  A  fragment  of 
shell  descended  in  such  a  way  as  to  graze  his  leg  from  the 
hip  downward,  cutting  through  his  pocket,  and  completely 
riddling  a  woollen  mitten  which  was  rolled  up  therein. 
The  mitten  is  perforated  in  six  or  eight  places,  and  the 
pocket  itself,  of  course,  cut  through.  The  wound  on  the 
leg  was  sufficiently  severe  to  detain  him  in  the  hospital  at 
Washington  till  the  present  time.  The  fragment  of  shell 
and  the  mitten  were  sent  home  to  gratify  the  curiosity  of  his 
friends.  A  companion  of  Mr.  Frye,  while  assisting  him  to 
the  rear,  was  struck  by  a  cannon-ball,  and  instantly  killed."  * 

The  following  went  the  rounds  of  the  press  as  exhibiting 
the  pluck  of  a  Union  soldier.  In  a  speech  before  the  Balti- 
more Union  League,  Jos.  J.  Stewart,  of  Baltimore  County, 
related  the  following :  — 

"  The  fire  which  animates  the  Union  soldiers  is  well  illus- 

*  Salem  Observer. 


70        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

trated  by  the  anecdote  related  by  a  chaplain  of  the  army. 
He  says  he  has  regarded  it  as  a  part  of  his  Christian  duty 
to  attend  the  dying  rebels  as  well  as  the  Union  soldiers  ;  and 
that,  while  he  has  frequently  heard  rebel  soldiers  express  re- 
gret in  their  last  moments  for  having  taken  up  arms  against 
the  good  old  flag,  he  has  never  known  a  Unionist  express 
doubt  or  regret  for  the  cause  in  which  he  was  engaged.  One 
day,  the  battle  raged  fiercely :  all  round  him  were  evidences 
of  awful  havoc.  A  Union  soldier  was  fighting  bravely  after 
most  of  his  companions  had  beeii  shot  down.  The  chaplain 
watched  him.  He  saw  a  cannon-ball  strike  the  soldier's 
left  arm,  and  sever  it  between  the  shoulder  and  elbow.  The 
concussion  turned  the  soldier  completely  round,  his  arm  fall- 
ing at  the  distance  of  ten  feet  or  more  from  where  he  stood. 
The  chaplain  still  watched  him,  unconsciously  to  the  sol- 
dier, who  did  not  know  that  he  was  regarded  at  that  mo- 
ment by  any  other  than  the  all-seeing  Eye.  The  soldier 
looked  at  his  left  side,  and  beheld  his  bleeding  stump  ;  then, 
turning  around,  he  commenced  searching  for  his  dissevered 
arm.  He  picked  it  up,  and  held  it  for  a  moment  in  its 
place  :  he  then  held  it  aloft  in  his  right  hand,  and  exultantly 
exclaiming,  '  This  is  my  sacrifice  for  the  Union  ! '  he  hurled 
it  with  all  his  might  at  the  retreating  foe." 

The  "  Newburyport  Herald "  furnishes  the  following 
bright  record  of  a  Harvard  boy  :  — 

"Among  the  wounded  soldiers  of  "Williamsburg,  returned 
home  for  nursing,  is  Lieut.  G.  P.  Stevens  of  the  First  Excel- 
sior Regiment,  Hooker's  division.  He  has  been  at  the  house 
of  his  father,  Judge  Stevens  of  Lawrence,  for  some  weeks, 


COURAGE  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD.        71 

severely  wounded  by  a  bullet  through  the  thigh.  He  entered 
the  service  six  months  since,  while  a  member  of  the  junior 
class  of  Harvard ;  and  the  sword  he  has  so  nobly  carried 
was  presented  by  his  classmates.  He  had  been  wounded 
prior  to  the  battle  of  Williamsburg  by  the  accidental  dis- 
charge of  his  revolver  sending  a  ball  into  his  foot,  which  has 
not  yet  been  extracted.  When  the  cry,  *  Forward  ! '  went 
up  from  Yorktown,  he  was  in  his  place,  but,  on  account  of 
his  wound,  was  detailed  to  look  after  the  baggage,  and  come 
on  with  the  trains  ;  but,  hearing  that  a  battle  was  in  prospect, 
he  pressed  forward  eighteen  miles  on  foot  through  mud 
and  rain,  arriving  in  the  midst  of  the  terrific  conflict,  and 
sought  his  regiment,  which  was  at  the  extreme  right.  There 
they  fought  the  enemy  at  fearful  odds,  and  were  outflanked, 
their  colonel  wounded  and  taken  prisoner,  and  a  large  num- 
ber of  their  officers  and  men  either  killed  or  wounded.  Sev- 
eral bullets  passed  through  young  Stevens's  clothes,  and  one 
through  his  thigh  ;  but  still  he  was  able  to  retreat  after  forty 
rounds  of  ammunition  had  been  exhausted,  and  assisted  in 
forming  the  men,  with  empty  muskets  and  fixed  bayonets, 
around  the  cannon  in  the  woods.  Bleeding  and  exhausted, 
he  still  labored  and  fought ;  and,  having  searched  the  car- 
tridge-boxes of  the  dead  in  vain,  there  was  no  alternative 
but  to  stand  the  leaden  hail  with  fixed  bayonets,  till 
re-enforcements  arrived,  and  victory  was  won.  Then  he 
was  carried  to  the  rear,  and  is  now  safe  at  home,  though 
anxious  and  determined  to  return  as  soon  as  his  wound 
permits." 

With  emotions  of  pride  that  our  country  can  point  to  such 


72         FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

young  men,  —  heroes,  though  but  beardless  boys,  —  the  fol- 
lowing testimonial  is  subjoined  :  — 

OXE  OF  OUR  BRAVES.  —  The  "Worcester  Spy"  has  a 
touching  tribute,  from  the  pen  of  Henry  S.  Washburn,  to 
the  memory  of  Lieut.  J.  William  Grout,  who  was  killed  at 
Ball's  Bluff.  This  young  and  promising  officer  was  only 
eighteen  years  old.  He  was  the  son  of  wealthy  parents,  and 
early  evinced  a  fondness  for  military  pursuits.  When  war 
was  declared,  he  expressed  a  wish  at  once  to  enter  the  army  ; 
but  his  parents  withheld  their  consent,  chiefly  on  account  of 
his  youth.  When,  however,  they  yielded  to  his  importuni- 
ties, his  joy  knew  no  bounds  ;  and,  with  all  the  ardor  of  his 
nature,  he  engaged  in  the  work  of  preparation  for  his  new 
calling.  He  had  received  a  military  education  at  the  High- 
land Institute,  and  obtained  a  commission  as  second  lieuten- 
ant in  Company  D,  of  the  Massachusetts  Fifteenth,  —  an 
honor  rarely  bestowed  upon  so  young  a  person.  Of  his 
services  at  Ball's  Bluff,  the  following  account  is  given  :  — 

"  He  was  there,  and  nobly  did  he  discharge  his  duty.  It 
was  observed  that  he  displayed  great  coolness  and  bravery ; 
and,  in  one  instance  at  least,  his  right  arm  did  signal  exe- 
cution. When  all  hope  had  fled,  and  the  day  was  evidently 
lost,  and  the  order  to  retreat  given,  he  knew  that  he  and  his 
associates  had  done  all  that  men  could  do,  and  that  Massa- 
chusetts had  reason  to  be  proud  of  the  conduct  of  her  sons 
on  that  dreadful  field  of  blood  and  carnage.  Alas  that 
even  then  his  work  was  done,  and  his  warfare  finished ! 

"  He  had  gained  the  middle  of  the  stream,  and  would 
soon  have  reached  the  opposite  bank,  when  a  fatal  shot 


COURAGE  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD.       73 

pierced  him ;  and  he  exclaimed,  '  Tell  Company  D  I 
could  have  reached  the  shore,  but  I  am  shot ;  I  must 
sink  ! '  and,  as  the  waters  closed  over  him,  the  spirit  took 
its  flight  to  be  forever  free  from  the  throes  and  conflicts  of 
the  earth. 

"When  his  death  was  announced,  Col.  Devens  remarked, 
with  deep  emotion,  '  Dear  little  fellow !  he  came  to  me  at 
the  close  of  the  battle,  and  said,  '  Colonel,  is  there  any  thing 
more  that  I  can  do  for  you?  '  I  replied,  '  Nothing  but  take 
care  of  yourself.'  Similar  testimony  to  his  bravery  and 
fidelity  has  been  received  from  numerous  sources." 

Mr.  Washburn  concludes  his  touching  tribute  to  the 
memory  of  his  young  friend  with  the  following  striking 
and  eloquent  remarks  :  — 

"The  records  of  that  sad  conflict 'at  Ball's  Bluff  tell  the 
story  of  the  fall  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  one  of  the  young- 
est officers  of  the  Union  forces,  —  one  high  in  political 
position,  and  the  pride  of  our  Western  domain  (let  the  tear 
of  charity  forever  erase  the  remembrance  of  his  mistakes, 
if  any  he  made  ;  for  he  was  a  peerless  man,  and  a  tower  of 
strength  to  the  nation)  ;  the  other  a  fitting  representative 
of  the  unconquerable  pluck  and  the  chivalrous  daring  of  the 
young  men  of  the  oldest  Commonwealth  in  the  Union.  Thus 
were  united,  upon  the  same  altar  of  patriotism  and  love  of 
country,  the  Atlantic  and  the  Pacific,  —  the  blossoms  of 
youth  and  the  frosts  of  age !  Oh !  who,  in  view  of  such 
pledges  and  such  consecrations,  can  despair,  whatever  may 
be  the  reverses  of  the  moment,  of  the  final  triumph  of  the 
Republic?" 


74        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

Not  only  were  deeds  of  noble  daring  frequent  upon  the 
battle-fields  of  our  beloved  land  in  the  late  contest  for 
liberty  and  righteousness,  but  there  were  not  a  few  scenes 
exhibiting  family  affection  and  the  tender  ties  of  friendship, 
upon  which  even  angels  must  have  looked  with  admiring 
interest.  Here  is  one  of  them :  — 

FATHER  AXD  SON  ON  THE  BATTLE-FIELD. — A  story  is 
told  of  the  veteran  Sumner  at  the  battle  of  Antietam.  His 
son,  Capt.  Sumner,  a  youth  of  twenty-one,  was  on  his  staff. 
The  old  man  calmly  stood  amidst  a  storm  of  shot  and  shells, 
and  turned  to  send  him  through  a  doubly-raging  fire  upon  a 
mission  of  duty.  He  might  never  see  his  boy  again  :  but  his 
country  claimed  his  life ;  and,  as  he  looked  upon  his  young 
brow,  he  grasped  his  hand,  encircled  him  in  his  arms, 
and  fondly  kissed  him.  "  G-ood-by,  Sammy  !  "  —  "  Good-by, 
father  !  "  and  the  youth,  mounting  his  horse,  rode  gayly  on 
the  message.  He  returned  unharmed  ;  and  again  his  hand 
was  grasped  with  a  cordial  "How  d'ye  do,  Sammy?" 
answered  by  a  grasp  of  equal  affection.  The  scene  was 
touching  to  those  around. 

A  Boston  paper  thus  refers  to  the 

DEATH  OF  A  HERO.  —  Rev.  J.  F.  Mines,  chaplain  of 
the  Second  Maine  Regiment,  now  a  prisoner  at  Richmond, 
in  a  letter  to  a  friend  in  Bangor,  gives  the  following  account 
of  the  death  of  William  J.  Deane,  son  of  Col.  B.  S.  Deane 
of  that  city,  who  was  standard-bearer  of  the  Second  at  the 
battle  of  Bull  Run  :  — 

"  Tell  Mr.  Deane,  the  father  of  "William  Deane,  color- 


COURAGE  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD.       75 

tearer  of  the  Second  Maine,  who  fell  in  the  battle  of  the 
21st,  that  his  son  died  like  a  hero.  Though  sorely  wounded, 
so  that  he  could  scarcely  whisper,  he  beckoned  me  to  him ; 
and  when  I  knelt  beside  him,  and  put  my  ear  close  to  his 
mouth,  he  hoarsely  whispered,  'It's  safe.' — 'What,'  said  I, 
—  'what?  the  flag?'  He  nodded  his  head,  for  he  could  not 
speak  again,  and  then  closed  his  eyes.  I  bathed  his  head 
with  water,  and  tried  to  comfort  him  ;  but  my  own  heart 
was  full,  and  I  could  not  speak  for  tears.  That  man  was  a 
hero.  His  father  may  weep  bitterly  for  his  loss ;  but  let 
him  thank  God  for  his  glorious  death." 

A  Belfast  (Me.)  paper  thus  speaks  of 

"A  PATRIOTIC  FAMILY.  —  A  Father  and  Six  Sons  in  the 
Army.  —  Mr.  James  McKinney,  of  Enfield,  in  this  State, 
aged  fifty-four  years,  and  his  six  sons,  —  seven  in  all,  —  have 
enlisted  in  the  service  of  the  country.  One  son  has  died 
in  the  hospital,  and  one  has  returned  home  sick.  The 
father  and  two  sons  enlisted  in  the  Sixth  Maine,  two  sons 
in  the  Seventh  Maine,  one  son  in  the  Tenth,  and  one  in  the 
Eleventh.  There  was  still  one  remaining  son,  who  was  pre- 
vented from  enlisting  in  consequence  of  having  lost  some  of 
his  fingers.  He  was  so  anxious  to  go,  that  he  wanted  his 
father  and  brothers  to  get  him  a  situation  as  a  teamster  ;  but 
they  declined,  urging  that  he  ought  to  stay  at  home  and 
take  care  of  the  old  castle." 

Some  one  truthfully  remarks,  — 

"  There  are  strange  scenes  in  war,  mingling  the  sublime, 


76        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

the  horrible,  the  fraternal,  social,  touching.  A  young 
Massachusetts  volunteer  in  the  battle  of  Antietam  was 
mortally  wounded  by  a  rifle-ball  in  the  abdomen,  and  fell 
backward  ;  his  lower  limbs  being  entirely  paralyzed  by  the 
wound.  He  was,  to  all  appearance,  helpless  ;  yet  he  aided  in 
the  fight.  Having  fallen  almost  at  the  beginning  of  the 
action,  his  cartridge-box  was  nearly  full.  Having  excellent 
teeth,  he  handled  and  tore  the  cartridges  from  his  box  till  it 
was  empty,  rapidly  passing  them  to  his  comrades  who  stood 
over  him ;  and  then,  as  they  found  he  aided  their  speed  in 
firing,  they  took  the  cartridges  from  their  boxes,  and  he  tore 
them  till  their  ammunition  was  expended,  when  they  bore 
him  to  Nthe  quiet  bed  of  death  ;  he  being  all  the  time  as 
calm,  deliberate,  and  earnest  as  those  who  remained  un- 
hurt." 

Prof.  Hackett  gives  in  his  "  Memorials  of  the  TVar  "  the 
following  story  of  an  Indiana  hero  boy,  prepared  from  the 
"  Cincinnati  Gazette  :  "  — 

"  On  the  cars  running  from  Evansrille  to  Indianapolis,  I 
fell  into  conversation  with  a  soldier,  who,  though  young  in 
years,  carried,  as  I  found,  the  heart  of  a  man  and  a  hero  in 
his  bosom  :  he  was  returning  home  on  a  discharge  furlough. 
Having  found  others  destitute,  I  inquired  into  his  condition. 
He  had  started  without  breakfast ;  had  neither  food  nor 
money  to  go  to  Elkhart,  on  the  Southern  Michigan  Road,  a 
distance  of  over  three  hundred  miles,  and  with  the  proba- 
bility before  him  of  being  over  two  days  on  the  way.  His 
voice  was  gone,  and  he  was  obliged  to  talk  in  a  whisper. 
On  seeing  what  the  prospect  before  him  was,  he  said  to  me, 


COURAGE  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD.       77 

with  childish  simplicity,  '  I  shall  be  nearly  starved  when  I 
reach  home  ;  shall  I  not  ? '  I  inquired  for  his  haversack  in 
order  to  supply  him  with  something  to  eat  when  we  stopped. 
He  replied  that  '  it  had  heen  stolen  from  him  ; '  yet  he  was 
indifferent  about  the  haversack :  it  was  the  Bible  contained 
in  it  that  he  felt  to  be  the  great  loss  to  him.  His  parents 
were  religious,  as  I  learned,  and  had  brought  him  up  to 
habits  of  rectitude,  and  in  the  fear  of  God. 

"  He  had  an  impression  that  he  should  not  live  long  ;  and 
I  remarked  to  him,  '  Death  is  no  calamity  to  a  good  boy.' 
His  countenance  brightened  as  I  said  that  to  him  ;  and  he  an- 
swered with  much  earnestness,  '  No,  sir  ;  and  I  am  not  afraid 
to  die.  I  made  up  my  mind  that  it  was  my  duty  to  go  and 
fight  for  my  country,  and  my  parents  consented.  Through 
exposure,  I  lost  my  health  early  in  the  winter ;  and,  on  the 
Sunday  morning  of  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  I  was  in  my  teut 
sick,  and  the  physician  ordered  me  to  remain  there.  I  had 
been  unfit  for  duty  for  two  months.  The  physician  was  very 
kind  to  me.  The  news  kept  coming  back  to  us  near  the 
river,  that  our  army  was  giving  way  everywhere  ;  and  I 
thought  it  my  duty  to  take  my  gun,  and  go  to  their  assistance. 
I  went  to  the  front,  and,  during  four  hours,  loaded  and  fired 
as  fast  as  I  could ;  but  the  exertion  was  too  much  for  me. 
My  lungs  took  to  bleeding,  and  I  came  near  dying  before 
the  bleeding  could  be  stopped ;  but  I  was  glad  I  did  what 
I  could.  I  have  never  spoken  since  above  a  whisper,  and  I 
fear  I  never  shall ;  but  it  is  all  right !  Our  country  must  be 
saved  at  any  sacrifice/  At  the  first  eating  station,  the  boy 
was  seated  at  the  table,  and  his  dinner  paid  for  by  a  stran- 


78         FIELD,  GUXBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

ger  ;  and  his  thanks  were  so  cordial  and  heartfelt,  that  tears 
filled  the  stranger's  eyes  as  he  turned  away,  receiving,  as  he 
did  so,  the  sick  boy's  '  God  bless  you,  stranger  ! ' 

"  Time  for  supper  would  bring  him  to  Indianapolis.  What 
would  he  do  there  ?  Who  would  befriend  him  there  ?  He 
was  told  to  go  to  Gov.  Morton,  and  inform  him  that  he  was 
on  his  way  home  from  Shiloh  with  ruined  health,  and  had 
neither  money  nor  food.  He  answered  that  he  would  do  so, 
if  he  had  strength  to  walk.  He  was  then  told  to  send  him  a 
line :  any  one  would  carry  it  for  him.  He  said  he  would 
do  so  ;  and  added,  '  It  would  not  be  improper ;  surely  the 
governor  would  not  let  me  starve  :  it  seems  to  me,  almost 
anybody  would  help  a  sick  soldier.' 

"  "When  he  arrived  at  Elkhart,  he  would  still  be  several 
miles  from  home.  That  occurred  to  him,  and  perplexed  his 
thoughts  for  a  moment ;  and  then,  smiling,  he  said,  '  Our 
family  physician  lives  there,  and  he  will  take  me  in  his  car- 
riage and  carry  me  home  ;  and  oh  !  does  not  a  welcome  await 
me  when  my  mother  sees  me  coming?  I  shall  take  her  by 
surprise  :  she  is  not  prepared  for  that.'  Here  the  train  started 
with  the  sick  boy,  who  seemed  revived  by  his  food,  and  the 
words  of  encouragement  spoken  to  him,  and  the  thoughts  of 
home." 

Another  volunteer  from  the  sturdy  West  has  left  a  shining 
record :  — 

"  John  Henry,  of  Indiana,  is  the  name  of  one  of  the  mar- 
tyr-heroes of  the  war.  Although  fifty-six  years  of  age,  he 
enlisted  as  a  volunteer  in  the  Seventy-eighth  Indiana  Regi- 
ment. He  was  not  influenced  by  ambition,  for  he  went  as  a 


COURAGE  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD.       79 

private  ;  nor  by  love  of  money,  for  he  was  not  destitute  of 
means,  and  the  soldier's  stipend  of  thirteen  dollars  a  month 
was  little  to  him  ;  nor  yet  by  patriotism  alone,  although  he 
loved  his  country  well  enough  to  die  for  it.  He  was  a  teacher 
in  the  Sabbath  school,  and  went  from  love  to  the  members  of 
his  class,  and  from  a  sense  of  duty  to  his  Lord  and  Master, 
who  had  committed  them  to  his  care.  He  said  '  The  great 
Shepherd  will  demand  them  at  rny  hands  :  I  wish  to  give  a 
good  account  of  my  trust.  I  must  care  for  the  souls  for 
whom  he  cared,  and  be  able,  if  I  can,  to  present  them 
among  the  saved  in  the  day  when  the  throne  shall  be  set 
and  the  books  be  opened.'  So  he  enlisted. 

"  He  fell  in  a  skirmish  on  Monday  morning,  at  Union- 
town,  Ky.,  mortally  wounded.  A  ball  passed  through  his 
face,  inflicting  a  terrible  wound.  It  entered  just  below  the 
left  cheek-bone,  and  so  passed  out.  He  was  still  able,  after 
this,  to  make  himself  understood,  and  was  full  of  joy  in 
spite  of  the  pains  of  death.  On  Sunday,  the  day  before  his 
end,  he  had  spent  the  forenoon  in  a  neighboring  orchard  in 
meditation  and  prayer.  Toward  noon,  he  had  this  thought 
impressed  deeply  upon  him  :  *  "Work  to-day  ;  for  the  time  is 
short ; '  and  he  did  work.  He  passed  from  tent  to  tent,  pray- 
ing, praising,  and  exhorting,  not  only  during  the  remainder 
of  the  day,  but  late  into  the  night. 

"  The  next  morning,  he  was  among  the  first  to  fall ;  and 
soon  his  mutilated  tongue  was  silent  in  death.  Among  his 
last  words  were  these  :  '  Oh  !  I  am  happy  ;  for,  when  the 
Master  came,  he  found  me  at  my  appointed  work  ! ' "  * 

*  Prof.  Hackett's  Memorials,  &c. 


80  FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

Our  young  braves  suffered  for  dear  liberty  ;  but  they  suf- 
fered willingly,  and  with  unrivalled  fortitude. 

"  In  a  hospital,  crowded  with  the  wounded  from  the  bloody 
field  of  Antietam,  was  a  mutilated  soldier,  Charles  "Warren, 
from  Massachusetts,  one  of  whose  limbs  required  amputa- 
tion. There  was  little  hope  of  saving  him  ;  but,  as  no  other 
resource  was  left,  it  was  thought  advisable  to  make  the  at- 
tempt. The  wound  was  such,  that  the  operation  could  not 
be  otherwise  than  painful  in  the  extreme.  A  clergyman, 
Rev.  Mr.  Sloane,  who  had  been  useful  to  the  young  man  in 
spiritual  things,  felt  that  he  could  not  bear  the  sight  of  the 
inevitable  suffering,  and  was  about  to  leave  the  room  ;  '  but 
what  was  our  surprise,'  he  says,  '  as  they  placed  him  on  the 
table  beneath  the  surgeon's  knife,  to  hear  him  singing, 
in  a  clear  and  cheerful  voice,  the  familiar  words,  — 

'  There'll  be  no  more  sorrow  there : 
In  heaven  above,  where  all  is  love, 
There'll  be  no  more  sorrow  there ! ' 

"  I  staid,  assured  that  Charles  was  calm,  trusting  in  God. 
The  limb  was  taken  off ;  and  he  remained  in  a  drowsy  state 
for  -twenty-four  hours,  and  then  gently  passed  away.  We 
buried  him  in  a  quiet  spot,  with  appropriate  services,  and, 
as  we  left  the  grave,  felt  that  we  could  think  of  him  as  in 
that  heaven  of  which  he  so  cheerfully  sang."  * 

"  Not  long  ago,"  said  Mr.  Gough  at  a  public  meeting  in 
Boston,  "  I  was  in  a  hospital,  and  saw  a  young  man  twenty- 

*  Prof.  Hackett's  Memorials,  &c. 


COURAGE  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD.       81 

six  years  of  age,  pale  and  emaciated,  with  his  shattered  arm 
resting  upon  an  oiled-silk  pillow ;  and  there  he  had  been 
many  long  and  weary  weeks,  waiting  for  sufficient  strength 
for  an  amputation.  I  knelt  by  his  side,  and  said,  '  Will 
you  answer  me  one  question  ? ' 

"  '  Yes,  sir,'  was  his  reply. 

"  '  Suppose  you  were  well,  at  home,  in  good  health,  and 
knew  all  this  would  come  to  you  if  you  enlisted,  would  you 
enlist?' 

"  '  Yes,  sir,'  he  answered  in  a  whisper :  '  I  would,  in  a 
minute  !  What  is  my  arm  or  my  life  compared  with  the 
safety  of  the  country?'" 

That  was  patriotism,  and  the  young  soldier  a  hero  ! 

Similar  to  the  above  is  the  testimony  of  Rev.  Mr.  Sav- 
age, agent  tor  the  American  Tract  Society  in  the  Western 
department :  — 

"  While  I  have  conversed,"  he  says,  "  with  thousands  of  our 
wounded  from  the  battle-fields  of  Lexington  and  Pea  Ridge 
and  Fort  Donelson  and  Shiloh  and  Corinth  and  luka,  some- 
times on  the  field,  sometimes  on  transports,  sometimes  in 
hospitals,  I  have  never  found  the  first  wounded  man  yet  that 
has  uttered  a  single  word  of  complaint,  or  expressed  a  re- 
gret at  having  enlisted.  It  is  most  wonderful  to  me.  I 
have  seen  them  armless  and  legless,  pierced  through  every 
part  of  the  body,  and  upon  the  surgeon's  bench  undergoing 
amputation  ;  I  have  seen  them  dying,  and  heard  them  speak 
of  wife  and  children  and  loved  ones  at  home :  but  I  have 
never  heard  a  word  of  complaint  or  regret  at  having  enlisted 
in  the  army." 


82        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

They  were  patriots,  ever  faithful  to  the  flag ;  and  not  a 
few  of  them  manifested  the  spirit  which  found  utterance  in 
the  last  words  of  the  lamented  Gen.  James  S.  Rice,  "  Let 
me  die  with  my  face  to  the  foe,  boys."  * 

As  an  example  of  the  kindness  of  some  of  our  soldiers 
to  their  wounded  comrades,  the  following  is  given  from  the 
"  Sanitary-Commission  Bulletin  :  "  — 

"  While  examining  a  fearful  wound  in  a  young  soldier  in 
one  of  the  hospitals  the  other  day,  I  was  astonished  at  the 
rapid  progress  towards  recovery,  as  well  as  at  the  patient's 
unusually  vigorous  condition,  considering  the  nature  of 
the  wound,  —  a  compound  fracture  in  the  upper  third  of  the 
right  thigh.  The  following  statement  which  he  gave  me 
accounts  for  this  man's  good  fortune  :  He  was  wounded 
while  in  the  skirmish  line  the  3d  of  June,  at  Coal  Harbor, 
Va.  His  comrades  had  him  carefully  conveyed  to  the  rear  ; 

*  James  G.  Clark,  the  poet  and  composer,  has  written  a  stirring  song 
suggested  by  these  words,  the  last  stanza  of  which  is,  — 

"  Let  me  die  with  my  face  to  the  field,  boys, 

As  the  shot  of  the  foeman  found  me : 
I  crave  no  shroud  or  shield,  boys, 

Save  the  old  flag  wrapped  around  me. 

Those  stars  shall  gleam  forever 

O'er  land  and  sea  and  river, 
In  Freedom's  right  and  Freedom's  light, 

O'er  hearts  that  will  never  yield." 

CHOBUS. 
"  I  hear  the  shout  of  the  brave  ring  out 

Where  the  land's  high  hearts  lie  low : 
Then  let  me  gaze  through  the  cannon's  blaze, 
And  die  with  my  face  to  the  foe." 


COURAGE  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD.       83 

and,  as  soon  as  permission  could  be  obtained  after  the 
battle,  eight  of  those  comrades  undertook  the  task  of  trans- 
porting him  on  a  litter,  borne  upon  their  own  shoulders, 
from  Coal  Harbor  to  Whitehouse,  twenty-two  miles  by  the 
road  they  travelled.  Carefully  they  kept  step  as  they  went 
onward  to  the  new  base  for  the  transports  ;  and,  when  they 
reached  the  hospital-boat  in  the  Pamunkey  River,  the  field 
litter  and  its  precious  burden  were  deposited  without  having 
been  jostled  or  the  wounded  parts  injured.  The  physicians 
promised  that  the  noble  object  of  this  tender  care  should  be 
transported  to  the  hospital- wharf  at  Washington,  and  from 
thence  to  some  general  hospital,  without  being  disturbed 
from  the  carefully  prepared  bed  upon  which  he  had  been 
brought  from  the  battle-field.  The  pledge  has  been  fulfilled  : 
and  if  those  affectionate  comrades  live  to  reach  Jefferson 
County,  N.Y.,  again,  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  they 
will  find  there  the  noble  man  who  was  borne  upon  their 
shoulders  from  Coal  Harbor  to  Whitehouse." 

Volumes  might  be  written,  and  yet  all  the  incidents  of  in- 
terest occurring  on  the  battle-field  fail  to  be  told.  Eye-wit- 
nesses of  such  courage  and  patriotism  have  given  many 
sketches  of  heroic  conduct ;  but  only  the  pen  of  the  record- 
ing angel  could  preserve  them  all,  they  were  so  numerous,  so 
constantly  recurring.  This  is  not  extravagant  language. 
No  words  can  ever  utter  our  defenders'  meed  of  praise.  Only 
when  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth  shall  say  to  each  pati'iot  sol- 
dier, "  Tfibu  hast  fought  the  good  fight,  henceforth  is  laid 
up  for  thee  a  crown,"  and  shall  place  that  crown  upon  the 
radiant  brow  of  those  who  were  victors  though  they  fell, 


84        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

•will  their  dauntless  valor  and  unfailing  patriotism  be  fully 
appreciated. 

The  picket-guard,  pacing  his  lonely  beat,  should  not  be 
forgotten  as  we  call  to  mind  the  deeds  of  daring  on  the  bat- 
tle-field. It  required  no  little  courage  to  take  one's  stand, 
day  after  day,  and  night  after  night,  when  a  bullet  from  a 
sharpshooter  might  at  any  moment  end  his  earthly  career. 
How  many  a  thought  of  home  and  dear  ones  has  crowded 
upon  the  mind  of  the  lonely  sentinel  at  such  hours  !  —  his 
eyes  bent  upon  discovering  the  danger,  if  lurking  foes  should 
reveal  themselves ;  his  heart  far  away  with  the  prattling 
children,  or  the  anxious  wife,  longing  for  peace,  it  may  be, 
yet  willing  and  ready  to  stay  at  his  post,  or  to  die  in  his 
country's  defence. 

It  should  be  observed  that  truthful  records  of  the  gallant 
deeds  of  the  Union  army  and  navy  do  not  mention  the  offi- 
cers alone.  Excellent,  brave,  and  judicious  officers  showed 
wonderful  executive  ability,  and  won  unfading  laurels  on 
many  a  battle-field  ;  but  not  the  officers  alone  constituted  our 
patriots.  The  rank  and  file  won  their  full  share  of  glory ; 
at  least,  they  exhibited  bravery  and  patriotism  enough  to  de- 
serve it.  One  who  could  sneeringly  say,  as  he  read  the  name 
of  a  martyred  hero,  "  It  was  only  a  private,"  stamped  him- 
self contemptible  beyond  expression.  Our  privates  were 
heroes. 

"  See !  in  the  battle's  fiery  track 

Our  torn  flag  falls !  —  'tis  gone  ! 
Who  leaps  to  bring  the  colors  back  ? 
'  Only  a  private '  born. 


COURAGE  AND  PATRIOTISM  ON  THE  FIELD.       85 

A  spirit  'mid  the  sulphurous  air, 

Up  from  '  the  ranks '  he  came ; 
A  god-like  form,  with  streaming  hair, 

And  an  immortal  name  ! 

No  record  traced  in  Spartan  blood 

Tells  grander  victory ; 
None  with  sublimer  courage  stood 

At  dread  Thermopylae."  * 

Our  "  boys  in  blue  "  were  worthy  of  their  noble  cause, 
whether  they  wore  the  uniform  of  privates  or  officers  ;  and 
impartial  history  will  render  due  praise  to  the  heroic  cham- 
pions of  a  nation's  rights,  the  noble  advocates  of  liberty  and 
law. 

*  Dr.  Arthur  E.  Jenks. 


86        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 


CHAPTER  III. 

GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY. 

"  Our  country's  flag  is  proudly  flung 

With  all  its  stars  on  every  breeze ; 
And  Freedom's  voice,  with  trumpet-tongue, 
Is  sounding  over  land  and  seas."  — G.  W.  LIGHT. 

'HEN  the  war  commenced  in  18G1,  the  entire 
naval  force  available  for  the  defence  of  the 
whole  Atlantic  coast  consisted  of  the  steamer 
*  Brooklyn,'  of  twenty-five  guns,  and  the  storeship  'Relief,' 
of  two  guns.  Ships,  frigates,  &c.,  belonging  to  the  United 
States,  and  mounting  in  the  aggregate  eight  hundred  and 
seventy-four  guns,  were  in  existence  ;  but  some  of  them 
were  lying  in  port  dismantled,  and  the  rest  were  otherwise 
rendered  unfit  for  service.  The  '  Brooklyn'  was  of  too  great 
draught  to  enter  Charleston  harbor  with  safety,  except 
during  the  high  spring-tides;  and  the  'Relief  was  under 
orders  to  proceed  to  Africa  with  stores  for  our  squadron 
there. 

Including  the  ships,  &c.,  of  our  navy  abroad,  the  United 
States,  according  to  the  Navy  Secretary's  report,  could  boast 
of  about  two  thousand  four  hundred  and  fifteen  guns,  and  a 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  87 

complement,  exclusive  of  officers  and  marines,  of  about 
seven  thousand  six  hundred  men. 

These  somewhat  dry  details  are  mentioned  in  order  to 
show  the  state  of  our  navy  when  the  South  fired  upon  the 
"Star  of  the  West"  and  Fort  Sumter.  These  pages  are 
not  designed  to  be  statistical  particularly,  nor  yet  largely 
historical,  but  to  show,  in  the  graphic  language  of  eye- 
witnesses whose  testimony  is  gathered  from  many  and 
authentic  sources,  the  exploits  of  the  almost  new  navy  of  the 
United  States  while  the  Rebellion  continued.  Heavy  and 
efficient  blows  did  this  arm  of  our  defence  give  to  the  rebel 
cause  ;  and  the  soldiers  and  sailors  of  those  memorable  four 
years  of  martial  strife  may  clasp  hands  as  brothers  in 
honor.  They  struggled  with  equal  bravery  and  success : 
both  are  entitled  to  wear  the  uuwithering  bays,  and  receive 
a  rescued  nation's  gratitude. 

After  the  war  commenced,  Congress  ordered  an  addition 
to  the  navy,  and  various  gunboats  and  iron-clad  steamers 
were  added  to  our  puny  fleet. 

Among  these  floating  batteries,  as  they  have  been  termed, 
was  one  whose  name  is  wreathed  with  immortal  honor,  and 
whose  commander,  Capt.  A.  H.  Worden,  received  the  per- 
sonal thanks  of  our  martyred  President, — the  "  MONITOR." 
She  was  constructed  by  J.  Ericsson,  of  New  York ;  and 
being  peculiar  in  build,  a  rara  avis  in  naval  architecture, 
it  may  be  proper  to  describe  her  more  minutely.  Miss  Ed- 
monds says,*  — 

"  The  first  real  object  of  interest  which  presented  itself 

*  Nurse  and  Spy,  p.  67. 


88         FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

was  the  '  Monitor,'  lying  off  Fortress  Monroe.  It  reminded 
me  of  what  I  once  heard  a  man  say  to  his  neighbor  about 
his  wife.  Said  he,  '  Neighbor,  you  might  worship  your  wife 
without  breaking  either  of  the  ten  commandments.'  —  '  How 
is  that  ? '  asked  the  man.  '  Because  she  is  not  the  likeness 
of  any  thing  in  heaven  above,  or  in  the  earth  beneath,  or  in 
the  waters  under  the  earth.'  So  thought  I  of  the  '  Monitor.' 

"  There  she  sat  upon  the  water,  a  glorious  impregnable 
battery,  the  wonder  of  the  age,  the  terror  of  rebels,  and  the 
pride  of  the  North.  The  '  Monitor'  is  so  novel  in  structure, 
that  a  minute  description  will  be  necessary  to  come  to  an 
accurate  idea  of  her  character. 

"  '  She  has  two  hulls  ;  the  lower  one  is  of  iron,  five-eighths 
of  an  inch  thick  ;  the  bottom  is  flat,  and  six  feet  six  inches 
in  depth  ;  sharp  at  both  ends,  the  cut-water  retreating  at  an 
angle  of  about  thirty  degrees.  The  sides,  instead  of  having 
the  ordinary  bulge,  incline  at  an  angle  of  about  fifty-one 
degrees.  This  hull  is  one  hundred  and  twenty-four  feet 
long,  and  thirty-four  feet  broad  at  the  top.  Resting  on  this 
is  the  upper  hull,  flat-bottomed,  and  both  longer  and  wider 
than  the  lower  hull,  so  that  it  projects  over  in  every  di- 
rection like  the  guards  of  a  steamboat.  It  is  one  hundred 
and  seventy-four  feet  long,  forty-one  feet  four  inches  wide, 
and  five  feet  deep.  These  sides  constitute  the  armor  of  the 
vessel.  In  the  first  place  is  an  inner  guard  of  iron,  half  an 
inch  thick :  to  this  is  fastened  a  wall  of  white-oak,  placed 
endways,  and  thirty  inches  thick ;  to  which  are  bolted  six 
plates  of  iron,  each  an  inch  thick,  —  thus  making  a  solid 
wall  of  thirty-six  and  a  half  inches  of  wood  and  iron.  This 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  89 

hull  is  fastened  upon  the  lower  hull,  so  that  the  latter  is 
entirely  submerged,  and  the  upper  one  sinks  down  three  feet 
into  the  water.  Thus  but  two  feet  of  hull  are  exposed  to  a 
shot :  the  under  hull  is  so  guarded  by  the  projecting  upper 
hull,  that  a  ball,  to  strike  it,  would  have  to  pass  through 
twenty-five  feet  of  water.  The  upper  hull  is  also  pointed  at 
both  ends.  The  deck  comes  flush  with  the  top  of  the  hull, 
and  is  made  bomb-proof.  No  railing  or  bulwark  rises 
above  the  deck :  the  projecting  ends  serve  as  a  protection  to 
the  propeller,  rudder,  and  anchor,  which  cannot  be  struck. 
Neither  the  anchor  nor  chain  is  ever  exposed.  The  anchor 
is  peculiar,  being  very  short,  but  heavy.  It  is  hoisted  into 
a  place  fitted  for  it  outside  of  the  lower  hull,  but  within  the 
impenetrable  shield  of  the  upper  one.  On  the  deck  are  but 
two  structures  rising  above  the  surface,  —  the  pilot-house  and 
turret.  The  pilot-house  is  forward,  made  of  plates  of  iron, 
the  whole  about  ten  inches  in  thickness,  and  shot-proof. 
Small  slits  and  holes  are  cut  through  to  enable  the  pilot  to 
see  his  course.  The  turret,  which  is  apparently  the  main  fea- 
ture of  the  battery,  is  a  round  cylinder,  twenty  feet  in  interior 
diameter,  and  nine  feet  high.  It  is  built  entirely  of  iron 
plates  one  inch  in  thickness,  eight  of  them  securely  bolted 
together,  one  over  another.  Within  this  is  a  lining  of  one- 
inch  iron,  acting  as  a  damper  to  deaden  the  effects  of  a  con- 
cussion when  struck  by  a  ball :  thus  there  is  a  shield  of 
nine  inches  of  iron.  The  turret  rests  on  a  bed-plate  or  ring 
of  composition,  which  is  fastened  to  the  deck.  To  help  sup- 
port the  weight,  which  is  about  a  hundred  tons,  a  vertical 
shaft,  ten  inches  in  diameter,  is  attached  and  fastened  to  the 


90        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

bulk-head.  The  top  is  made  shot-proof  by  huge  iron  beams, 
and  perforated  to  allow  of  ventilation.  It  has  two  circular 
port-holes,  both  on  one  side  of  the  turret,  three  feet  above 
the  deck,  and  just  large  enough  for  the  muzzle  of  the  gun 
to  be  run  out.  The  turret  is  made  to  revolve,  being  turned 
by  a  special  engine  :  the  operator  within,  by  a  rod  connected 
with  the  engine,  is  enabled  to  turn  it  at  pleasure.  It  can  be 
made  to  revolve  at  the  rate  of  sixty  revolutions  a  minute, 
and  can  be  regulated  to  stop  within  half  a  minute  of  a  given 
point.  When  the  guns  are  drawn  in  to  load,  the  port-hole 
is  stopped  by  a  huge  iron  pendulum,  which  falls  to  its  place, 
and  makes  that  part  as  secure  as  any,  and  can  be  quickly 
hoisted  to  one  side.  The  armament  consists  of  two  eleven- 
inch  Dahlgren  guns.  Various  improvements  in  the  gun- 
carriage  enable  the  gunner  to  secure  almost  perfect  aim. 
The  engine  is  not  of  great  power,  as  the  vessel  was  de- 
signed as  a  battery,  and  not  for  swift  sailing.  It  being 
almost  entirely  under  water,  the  ventilation  is  secured  by 
blowers,  drawing  the  air  in  forward,  and  discharging  it  aft. 
A  separate  engine  moves  the  blowers  and  fans  the  fires. 
There  is  no  chimney  ;  so  the  draft  must  be  entirely  artificial. 
The  smoke  passes  out  of  gratings  in  the  deck.  Many  sup- 
pose the  "Monitor"  to  be  merely  an  iron-clad  vessel  with  a 
turret ;  but  there  are,  in  fact,  between  thirty  and  forty 
patentable  inventions  upon  her,  and  the  turret  is  by  no 
means  the  most  important  one.  Very  properly,  what  these 
inventions  are  is  not  proclaimed  to  the  public.' " 

Having  thus  described  the  little  "  Monitor,"  which  was 
then  a  novelty,  and  is  now  a  celebrity,  it  is  fitting  that  the 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  91 

account  of  the  engagement  in  which  she  was  immortalized 
should  be  described  also.  That  engagement  was  "  the  great- 
est naval  engagement  of  the  nineteenth  century,  not  only  in 
view  of  the  novelty  of  the  combat  and  the  incalculable  issue 
immediately  at  stake,  but  because  its  result  went  far  to  set- 
tle the  question  of  foreign  intervention.  Wooden  walls  would 
henceforth  avail  little  in  maritime  warfare,  and  ships  in  the 
heavy  iron  armor  which  would  be  requisite  must  incur 
the  utmost  hazard  in  a  long  voyage  over  a  tempest-breed- 
ing sea."  * 

Among  the  eye-witnesses  of  this  remarkable  conflict  was 
Rev.  Arthur  B.  Fuller,  then  Chaplain  of  the  Sixteenth  Mas- 
sachusetts Regiment.  He  furnished  for  a  Northern  paper  a 
long  and  graphic  sketch  of  the  memorable  event,  which  is 
here  given.  It  is  written  under  date  of  March  15,  1862. 

"  The  past  week  has  indeed  been  an  exciting  one  here. 
The  dulness  and  monotony  of  camp  life  have  been  ex- 
changed for  the  sound  of  the  stirring  drum,  of  men  march- 
ing in  battle  array  to  meet  any  land  force  which  might  sec- 
ond the  naval  armament  arrayed  against  us,  and  for  the 
flash  and  roar  of  the  cannon  upon  our  shores.  I  have  been 
a  witness  of  the  entire  naval  contest,  —  our  signal  defeat  at 
first,  our  splendid  triumph  at  the  last.  Never  have  I  known 
such  alternations  of  feeling  as  this  last  week  has  brought  to 
me.  I  have  seen  the  proud  American  flag  struck  and  hum- 
bled, and  over  it  the  white  signal  of  surrender  to  a  rebel 
steamer  waving ;  and  my  heart  sank  within  me  for  shame  ; 

*  R.  F.  Fuller,  Esq. 


92         FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

and  then  came  emotions  of  stern  resentment,  and  longing  to 
see  the  affront  avenged.  I  have  seen  that  exultant  rebel 
steamer  humbled  in  her  turn  before  the  little  '  Monitor,'  and 
the  fierce  flame-breathing  monster  towed  disabled  away  to 
his  den  ;  and  then  came  a  feeling  of  exultation,  say  rather  of 
gratitude  to  God,  whose  providence  alone  sent  that  deliver- 
ance which  no  language  is  adequate  to  express.  Let  me  now 
briefly  recount  events  of  remarkable  interest,  avoiding  the 
trite  details  already  before  the  public,  and  narrating  things  as 
I  saw  them.  The  like  of  this  naval  engagement,  in  many 
respects,  the  world  never  saw  before  :  the  tremendous  in- 
terests which  hung  upon  the  issse  have  never  been  exceeded  ; 
and  each  witness  is  bound  to  give  his  testimony,  and  give  it 
impartially. 

"  Never  has  a  brighter  day  smiled  upon  Old  Virginia  than 
last  Saturday.  The  hours  crept  lazily  along,  and  sea  and 
shore  in  this  region  saw  nothing  to  vary  the  monotony  of 
the  scene.  Now  and  then  a  soldier  might  be  heard  com- 
plaining that  this  detachment  of  the  loyal  army  was  having 
no  part  in  the  glorious  victories  which  everywhere  else  are 
crowning  American  valor  with  such  brilliant  success  ;  or  a 
sailor  might  be  noted  on  shipboard,  telling  how  much  he 
hoped  the '  Merrimack '  would  show  herself,  and  how  suddenly 
she  would  be  sunk  by  our  war  vessels  or  land  guns  if  she 
dared  make  her  appearance.  At  one  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon, the  scene  changed.  Two  strangely  clad  steamers 
appeared  above  Newport  News,  coming  down  the  river  ;  and 
a  monster  —  half-ship,  half-house  —  came  slowly  steaming 
from  Norfolk.  We  did  not  know,  but  we  all  felt,  that  the 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  93 

latter  was  the  '  Merrimack.'  Your  correspondent  at  once 
went  to  the  large  seminary  building  on  the  shore,  ahout  two 
miles  from  the  Fortress,  and  so  much  nearer  Newport  News, 
that,  with  an  excellent  spy-glass,  he  could  see  distinctly  every 
movement  made.  The  engagement  was  a  brief  one,  and  as 
terrible  and  disastrous  as  brief.  The  '  Merrimack '  is  a  slow 
sailer.  Out  she  steamed  steadily  toward  Newport  News,  and 
at  once  attacked  the  '  Cumberland.'  There  can  never  be  a 
braver  defence  than  the  officers  and  sailors  of  that  frigate 
made.  They  fought  long  after  resistance  was  hopeless ; 
they  never  surrendered,  even  when  the  water  was  filled  with 
drowning  men,  and  the  fast-disappearing  decks  were  slip- 
pery with  blood :  but  all  was  in  vain.  With  terrible  and 
resistless  force,  the  '  Merrimack'  steamed  at  the  doomed  ves- 
sel, and  pierced  her  side  with  her  immense  iron  beak,  at  the 
same  time  firing  her  heavy  guns  directly  through  her  antag- 
onist. The  noble  '  Cumberland '  soon  sunk  ;  and  her  sailors 
who  were  yet  alive  sought  safety  in  the  masts  yet  above  wa- 
ter, or  by  swimming  to  the  shore. 

"  Meanwhile,  the  '  Congress '  had  been  fired  upon  by  the 
rebel  steamers  '  Yorktown '  and '  Jamestown,'  and  also  by  the 
tug-boats  which  accompanied  the  '  Merrimack.'  She  had  got 
as  near  the  shore  as  possible ;  but,  when  the  iron  monster 
turned  his  attention  to  her,  she  was  soon  obliged  to  surrender. 
Oh,  how  bitterly  we  all  felt  the  humiliation  of  seeing  the  white 
flag  rising  to  the  mast-head  above  the  stars  and  stripes  !  I 
am  afraid  I  felt  hardly  like  a  Christian  for  the  moment,  if 
indeed  a  longing  for  vengeance  npon  my  country's  enemies 
be  unchristian.  I  would  have  given  all  I  possessed  to  see 


94        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

that  accursed  tyrant  of  the  seas,  with  the  rebel  pennant  defi- 
antly flying,  sunk  beside  her  victim,  the  noble  '  Cumberland.' 
But  it  was  not  to  be.  Vie  looked  for  the  '  Minnesota '  and '  Roa- 
noke,'  our  helpers  in  the  strife,  the  first  our  main  dependence  ; 
and,  lo  !  both  were  aground  and  helpless  in  that  fearful  hour  ! 
It  was  well ;  for  sure  as  they  had  floated,  and  the  '  Merrimack' 
could  have  come  at  them,  they,  too,  must  have  been  sunk  or 
captured.  The  '  Merrimack '  draws  more  water  than  either 
of  them.  It  did  seem  strange,  though,  that  such  a  mishap 
should  have  chanced  to  both  of  these  steam-frigates,  whose 
pilots  ought  to  have  been  so  familiar  with  the  channel :  but 
the  '  Roanoke  '  for  six  months  liad  lain  in  these  waters  with  a 
broken  shaft,  which  renders  her  helpless  ;  and  the  former 
pilot  of  the  '  Minnesota'  had  just  given  way  to  another  and 
less  experienced  man.  It  was  all  overruled  for  good. 

"  The  '  Merrimack '  now  threw  her  balls  thick  and  fast  and 
heavy  upon  the  camps  at  Newport  News.  Strange  to  say, 
none  of  these  shot  or  shell  did  any  material  damage  ;  though 
one  of  them  passed  directly  through  Gen.  Mansfield's  quar- 
ters, made  wild  work  with  his  room,  covered  the  gene- 
ral with  splinters  of  wood,  and,  had  it  exploded,  must  have 
killed  him.  I  saw  the  shell  next  day,  and  conversed  with 
the  general  with  reference  to  it.  He  has  it  in  his  apart- 
ment. It  weighed  forty-two  pounds  :  another  by  its  side,  also 
sent  from  the  '  Merrimack,'  weighed  ninety-two.  The  shells 
were  rather  badly  aimed,  and  most  of  them  went  into  the 
woods,  cutting  off  tops  of  trees  as  they  fell,  but  fortunate- 
lv.  nay,  providentially,  harming  no  one  of  the  soldiers,  or 
the  fleeing  women  and  children  and  contrabands.  A  little 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  95 

tug  had  been  sent  meanwhile  from  the  '  Merrimack '  to  the 
'  Congress '  to  take  off  the  prisoners  ;  but  this  tug  was  a  mark 
for  the  sharpshooters  from  the  shore  and  from  the  land 
batteries,  which  had  been  admirably  served  under  Gen. 
Mansfield's  skilful  direction,  and  frightened  the  '  Yorktown ' 
and  '  Jamestown  '  and  the  little  rebel  gunboats  from  landing 
their  forces.  The  officers  of  the  '  Congress,'  and  most  of  the 
sailors  who  were  not  killed,  all  save  twenty-three,  escaped  to 
the  shore  ;  and  the  '  Merrimack,'  damaged  but  not  disabled 
by  the  '  Cumberland's '  broadsides,  with  her  commander 
wounded  and  several  men  killed,  retired  from  the  conflict, 
giving  a  few  passing  shots  at  the  '  Minnesota,'  but  reserving 
her  case  till  the  morrow,  and  slowly  steaming  up  to  Norfolk, 
accompanied  by  the  '  Jamestown,'  *  Yorktown,'  and  the 
smaller  rebel  craft. 

"  That  morrow  !  How  anxiously  we  waited  for  it !  how- 
much  we  feared  its  results  !  IIOAV  anxious  our  Saturday  eve 
of  preparation !  At  sundown,  there  was  nothing  to  dispute 
the  empire  of  the  seas  with  the  '  Merrimack  ; '  and,  had  a 
land  attack  been  made  by  Magruder  then,  God  only  knows 
what  our  fate  would  have  been.  The  '  St.  Lawrence'  and  the 
'Minnesota'  aground  and  helpless,  the  '  Roanoke '  with  a 
broken  shaft, — these  were  our  defences  by  sea;  while  on 
land  Ave  were  doing  all  possible  to  resist  a  night  invasion  :  but 
who  could  hope  that  would  have  much  efficiency  ?  Oh,  what 
a  night  that  was !  I  never  can  forget  it.  There  was  no 
fear  during  its  long  hours,  —  danger,  I  find,  does  not  bring 
that ;  but  there  was  a  longing  for  some  interposition  of 
God,  and  waiting  upon  Him,  from  whom  we  felt  bur  help 


96         FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

must  come,  in  earnest,  fervent  prayer,  while  not  neglecting 
all  the  means  of  martial  defence  he  had  placed  in  our 
hands.  Fugitives  from  Newport  News  kept  arriving : 
ladies  and  children  had  walked  the  long  ten  miles  from 
Newport  News,  feeling  that  their  presence  only  embarrassed 
their  brave  husbands.  Sailors  from  the  '  Congress '  and 
'  Cumberland '  came,  one  of  them  with  his  ship's  flag  bound 
about  his  waist  as  he  swam  with  it  ashore,  determined  the 
enemy  should  never  trail  it  in  dishonor  as  a  trophy.  Dusky 
fugitives,  the  contrabands,  came,  mournfully  fleeing  from  a 
fate  worse  than  death,  —  slavery.  These  entered  my  cabin 
hungry  and  weary,  or  passed  it  in  long,  sad  procession. 
The  heavens  were  aflame  with  the  burning  '  Congress.'  The 
hotel  was  crowded  with  fugitives,  and  private  hospitality 
was  taxed  to  the  utmost.  But  there  were  no  soldiers  among 
the  flying  host:  all  in  our  camps  at  Newport  News  and 
Camp  Hamilton  were  at  the  post  of  duty,  undismayed,  and 
ready  to  do  all  and  dare  all  for  their  country.  The  sailors 
came  only  to  seek  another  chance  at  the  enemy,  since  the 
bold  'Cumberland'  had  gone  down  in  deep  waters,  and  the 
'  Congress '  had  gone  upward,  as  if  a  chariot  of  fire,  to 
convey  the  manly  souls,  whose  bodies  had  perished  in  the 
conflict,  upward  to  heaven.  I  had  lost  several  friends  there  : 
yet  not  lost ;  for  they  are  saved  who  do  their  duty  to  their 
country  and  their  God  as  these  had  done.  We  did  not 

pray  in  vain. 

'  The  heavy  night  hung  dark 

The  hills  and  waters  o'er; ' 
but  the  night  was  not  half  so  heavy  as  our  hearts,  nor  so 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  97 

dark  as  our  prospects.  All  at  once,  a  speck  of  light  gleamed 
on  the  distant  Avave  :  it  moved  ;  it  came  nearer  and  nearer  ; 
and,  at  ten  o'clock  at  night,  the  '  Monitor'  appeared!  '  When 
the  tale  of  bricks  is  doubled,  Moses  comes.'  I  never  more 
firmly  believed  in  special  providence  than  at  that  hour. 
Even  sceptics  for  the  moment  were  converted,  and  said, 
4  God  has  sent  her  ! '  But  how  insignificant  she  looked  ! 
She  was  but  a  speck  on  the  dark-blue  sea  at  night,  almost  a 
laughable  object  by  day.  The  enemy  call  her  '  a  cheese- 
box  on  a  raft ; '  and  the  comparison  is  a  good  one.  Could 
she  meet  the  '  Merrimack '  ?  The  morrow  must  determine  ; 
for,  under  God,  the  '  Monitor '  is  our  only  hope. 

"  The  morrow  came  ;  and  with  it  came  the  inevitable  battle 
between  those  strange  combatants,  the  'Merrimack'  and  the 
'  Monitor.'  What  a  lovely  Sabbath  morning  it  was  !  How 
peaceful  and  balmy  that  Southern  spring  morning !  Smil- 
ing Nature  whispered  only  '  Peace ; '  but  fierce  Treason 
breathed  out  threatenings  and  slaughter,  and  would  have  war. 
Nor  would  the  rebels  respect  the  Sabbath :  they  know  no 
doctrine  but  Slavery,  no  duty  but  obedience  to  her  bloody 
behests.  War  let  it  be,  then,  since  wicked  men  so  determine, 
and  we  have  no  alternative  but  shameful  surrender  of  truth 
and  eternal  justice.  The  guilt  of  violating  God's  Sabbath 
be  upon  the  heads  of  those  who  will  do  it :  we  may  not, 
indeed  cannot,  shrink  from  the  terrible  ordeal  of  battle. 
And  soon  it  comes.  At  nine  o'clock,  A.M.,  the  '  Merrimack' 
came  out,  attended  by  her  consorts  the  war-steamers  '  James- 
town' and  '  Yorktown,'  and  a  fleet  of  little  tug-boats,  crowded 
with  ladies  and  gentlemen  from  Norfolk  who  were  desirous 
7 


98        FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

of  seeing  the  '  Minnesota '  captured,  and  perhaps  even  For- 
tress Monroe  taken  ;  certainly  all  its  outlying  vessels,  and  the 
houses  in  its  environs,  burned. 

"  The  little  '  Monitor '  lay  concealed  in  the  shadow  of  the 
'Minnesota.'  The  'Merrimack'  opens  the  conflict,  and  her 
guns  shake  the  sea  and  air  as  they  breathe  out  shot  and  flame. 
Sewall's  Point  sends  from  its  mortars  shell  which  burst  in 
the  air  above  the  doomed  '  Minnesota.'  The  '  Minnesota,' 
still  aground,  replies  with  a  bold  but  ineffectual  broadside. 
All  promises  an  easy  victory  to  the  '  Merrimack,'  when,  lo  ! 
the  little  '  Monitor '  steams  gently  out,  and  offers  the  monster 
'  Merrimack '  battle.  How  puny,  how  contemptible,  she 
seemed !  nothing  but  that  little  round  tub  appearing  above 
the  water,  and  yet  flinging  down  the  gauge  of  defiance  to  the 
gigantic  '  Merrimack.'  'Twas  little  David  challenging  the 
giant  Goliath  once  again,  —  the  little  one  the  hope  of  Israel, 
the  giant  the  pride  of  the  heathen  Philistines.  Truly  our 
hopes  were  dim,  and  our  hearts  almost  faint,  for  the  moment. 
The  few  men  on  the  'Monitor'  are  sea  and  storm  worn  and 
weary  enough ;  and  their  little  craft  is  an  experiment,  with 
only  two  guns  with  which  to  answer  the  '  Merrimack's '  many. 
Who  can  doubt  the  issue  ?  who  believe  the  '  Monitor '  can  £iil 
to  be  defeated?  And,  if  she  is,  what  is  to  hinder  the  vic- 
torious and  unopposed  and  unopposable  'Merrimack'  from 
opening  the  blockade  of  the  coast,  or  shelling  Washington, 
New  York,  and  Boston,  after  first  devastating  our  camp 
and  destroying  its  soldiery  ?  That  was  the  issue :  such 
might  have  been  the  result,  smile  now  who  will.  Believe 
me,  there  were  prayers  offered,  many  and  fervent,  that 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  99 

Sabbath,  along  the  shore,  and  from  the  Fortress  walls,  as 
our  regiment  watched  the  battle ;  and  sailors  must  have 
prayed,  too,  as  never  before. 

"  The  '  Merrimack,'  after  a  few  minutes  of  astounded  si- 
lence, opened  the  contest.  She  tried  to  sink  her  puny  foe  at 
once  by  a  broadside,  and  be  no  longer  delayed  from  the  '  Min- 
nesota,' whose  capture  she  had  determined  upon.  After  the 
smoke  of  the  cannonade  had  cleared  away,  we  looked,  fear- 
ing, and  the  crew  of  the  '  Merrimack '  looked,  hoping,  that 
the  '  Monitor'  had  sunk  to  rise  no  more.  But  she  still  lived. 
There  she  was,  with  the  white  wreaths  of  smoke  crowning 
her  tower  as  if  a  coronet  of  glory.  And  valiantly  she  re- 
turned the  fire  too  ;  and  for  five  hours,  such  a  lively  can- 
nonading as  was  heard,  shaking  earth  and  sea,  was  never 
heard  before.  Literally,  I  believe  that  never  have  ships 
carrying  such  heavy  guns  met  till  that  Sabbath  morning. 
Every  manoeuvre  was  exhausted  by  the  enemy.  The  '  York- 
town'  approached  to  mingle  in  the  fray.  One  shot  was 
enough  to  send  her  quickly  back,  a  lame  duck  upon  the 
waters,  though  she,  too,  is  iron-clad.  The  'Merrimack' 
tried  to  run  the  'Monitor'  down,  and  thus  sink  her:  she 
only  got  fiercer  shots  by  the  opportunity  she  thus  gave  her 
little  antagonist.  And  so  it  went  on,  till  the  proud  'Merri- 
mack,' disabled,  was  glad  to  retire,  and,  making  signals  of 
distress,  was  towed  away  by  her  sorrowing  consorts.  David 
had  conquered  Goliath  with  his  smooth  stones  or  wrought- 
iron  balls  from  his  little  sling  or  shot-tower.  Israel  rejoiced 
in  her  deliverance  through  the  power  of  God,  who  had  sent 
that  little  champion  of  his  cause,  in  our  direst  extremity,  to 


100      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

the  battle.  Since  then,  the  '  Merrimack'  has  not  shown  her- 
self; and  the  enemy  confess  her  disabled,  and  her  com- 
mander, BUCHAXA^  (ominous  name),  severely  wounded,  four 
of  her  crew  killed,  and  seventeen  wounded.  They  admit, 
too,  the  valor  of  our  seamen,  futile  though  it  was.  The 
4  Cumberland's '  officers  and  crew,  says  the  '  Norfolk  Day- 
Book,'  '  fought  worthy  of  a  better  cause ; '  say,  rather, 
worthy  of  the  best  cause  in  the  world  ;  and  we  who  witnessed 
the  fight  will  agree  with  them. 

"  All  that  night,  as  well  as  the  previous,  and  for  several 
succeeding,  our  regiments  were  under  arms.  I  will  not  detail 
the  precautions  taken  to  prevent  a  defeat  by  land,  as,  through 
the  providence  of  God,  an  ultimate  defeat  by  sea  has  been 
averted.  Few  of  us  slept  that  night ;  and,  had  we  done  so, 
most  of  us  would  have  been  awakened  at  midnight  by  the 
fearful  cries  which  came  to  us  from  the  water,  — '  Ship 
ahoy !  O  God,  save  us !  Fire,  fire,  fire ! '  and  occasion- 
ally a  heavy  cannon  mingling  its  roar  with  those  fearful  cries. 
I  rushed  to  the  shore  with  many  others,  and  there,  a  little 
distance  from  me,  beheld  the  gunboat  'Whitehall'  burning, 
and  apparently  her  crew  perishing  in  the  fire,  or  drown- 
ing in  the  water  near.  It  was  terrible  ;  all  the  more  so  as 
we  could  do  nothing  to  aid,  no  boat  being  near  our  camp. 
The  balls  from  her  shotted  guns  made  even  looking  on  dan- 
gerous. One  shell  struck  the  United-States  hospital  at  the 
Fortress,  and  caused  great  terror  among  the  inmates,  all  of 
whom  believed  for  a  while  that  the  '  Merrimack '  had  come 
down  again,  and  was  shelling  the  fort.  Only  four  of  those 
poor  seamen  perished  in  the  flames  or  water,  through  the 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVT.  101 

mercy  of  God.  The  fire  came  from  a  shot  from  the  '  Mer- 
rimack,'  which  had  the  day  before  passed  through  the 
'Whitehall,'  and  left  a  little  spark  smouldering  unknown 
within. 

"  Amid  all  these  events,  disastrous  or  merciful,  our  soldiers 
still  live,  the  Fortress  yet  remains  unscathed,  and  the  '  Min- 
nesota' and  'Roanoke'  and  'St.  Lawrence'  —  though  the 
first  two  need  repairs — yet  fly  the  old  flag  at  their  main- 
masts. Above  all,  the  little  '  Monitor'  floats  in  triumph, — 
a  sentinel  on  the  waters,  and  a  strict  monitor  over  the 
rebels.  But  for  the  wounding  of  her  noble  commander, 
Lieut.  Worden,  she  would  have  pursued  and  sunk  the 
'Merrimack,'  and  will  probably  do  so  if  another  encounter 
occurs.  She  has  now  another  noble  commander,  Lieut.  T. 
A.  Selfridge  of  Charlestown,  whom  I  have  known  from  his 
boyhood,  and  know  to  be  brave,  and  worthy  of  the  proud  old 
Bay  State.  I  have  visited  Newport  News,  and  mourned  there 
the  death  of  the  worthy  Chaplain  Lenhart,  and  the  heroic 
Capt.  Moore,  whom  I  saw  but  a  few  days  before,  and  talked 
with  about  his  intended  visit  home  to  Boston.  But,  while  I 
have  mourned,  I  have  also  rejoiced  over  our  camps,  in  which 
none  were  killed ;  and  our  officers  and  sailors,  so  many  of 
whom  were  rescued.  America  Avill  never  forget  that  battle. 
It  wilt  mark  an  era  in  the  history  of  the  navy.  It  has  taught 
us  a  useful  lesson  ;  and  henceforth  we  have  no  more  wooden 
walls  as  our  reliance,  but  first  our  God,  and  then  plates  of 
steel,  and  iron-clad  frigates  and  monitors" 

These  thrilling  events  are  worthy  to  live  in  song  and 
story  to  the  end  of  time.  The  ill-fated  "Cumberland" 


102      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

has   thus   been   mentioned,  and   the  scene  painted  with   a 
poet's  pen :  — 

"The  sun,  uprising,  gilds  the  placid  bay; 

And,  waked  to  life  once  more,  the  bright  mists  rise : 
No  breeze  to  ware  the  starry  ensign  folds, 

Where,  slumbering  on  the  tide,  a  stout  ship  lies. 
The  sunburnt  sailor,  from  his  lookout,  marks 

The  lazy  smoke  up-floating  from  the  shore ; 
In  fancy  sees  his  distant  cottage  home : 

Alas  !  that  home  shall  never  see  him  more. 

Hark !  distant  booming  through  the  shining  calm ; 

A  signal  cannon  shakes  theisilent  air : 
Then  spring  to  arms  the  gallant  sailor-lads ; 

No  coward  hearts,  no  blanching  lips,  are  there. 
The  hurrying  footsteps  answer  with  their  tread 

The  boatswain's  whistle,  quavering  shrill  it  blows ; 
-  The  loud  drum  rolls ;  the  opening  ports  reveal 

The  deep-mouthed  cannon  ranged  in  deadly  rows. 

E'en  as  the  hawk,  high-poised  in  air,  surveys 

With  cruel  eye,  then  falls,  and  strikes  his  prey, 
Straight  for  the  fated  ship,  a  monster  strange, 

All  cased  in  mail,  unerring  holds  its  way. 
Swift  from  the  ship's  side  vivid  lightnings  flash, 

And  peal  on  peal  her  cannon  shake  the»main. 
Shall  not  that  tempest  sweep  away  the  foe  ? 

Shall  all  the  efforts  of  the  brave  be  vain  ? 

Ask  how  the  Aztec  bared  his  swarthy  breast 
With  fearless  heart,  and,  giving  blow  for  blow, 

Met  the  fierce  Spaniard,  sheathed  in  glittering  steel, 
Safe  in  his  armor,  smiling  on  his  foe ; 


GALLANT.  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  103 

Ask  if  the  breaker,  gathering  as  it  rolls, 
And  swings  with  ponderous  crash  a  whelming  blow, 

Shall  harm  the  gray  cliff  frowning  o'er  the  tide, 
And  heedless  of  the  roaring  seas  below. 

With  headlong  force,  the  monster  strikes  the  ship ; 

The  crashing  timbers  sound  the  seamen's  knell : 
Yet  still  the  spangled  flag  above  them  floats, 

As  up  her  sides  the  blood-stained  billows  swell. 
Yet  still  defiance  thunders  in  her  fires, 

Till  surging  waters  choke  the  cannon's  breath. 
She  sinks,  she  sinks  !     Great  Heaven,  have  mercy  now ! 

The  whirling  eddies  suck  them  down  to  death. 

As  when  in  camp  the  wounded  soldier  dies, 

He  bids  good-night,  then  yields  his  spirit  brave, 
His  sorrowing  comrades  lay  him  down  to  rest, 

And  fire  their  volleys  o^er  the  new-made  grave ; 
Swift  to  avenge,  the  '  Monitor '  appears, 

And  pays  the  funeral  honors  to  the  dead,  — 
Their  dirge  the  awful  thunder  of  her  guns, 

Her  battle-volleys  o'er  their  watery  bed. 

O  gallant  sailors !  shall  we  weep  for  them  ? 

No  :  rather  let  our  bosoms  swell  with  pride ; 
For  aged  grandsires  breathless  crowds  shall  tell 

How  fought  the  '  Cumberland,'  —  show  where  they  died. 
Their  names  resplendent  on  the  roll  of  fame, 

Their  monument  each  flag  that  floats  on  high  : 
Why  should  we  weep  ?    No,  no  !  they  are  not  dead ; 

A  grateful  country  will  not  let  them  die."  * 

*  Thomas  F.  Power. 


104      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

The  "  Boston  Traveller"  thus  refers  to  that  scene  of  hero- 
ism:— 

"If  to  deserve  success  is  better  than  oftentimes  to  gain 
it,  then  Lieut.  Maurice  and  the  gallant  crew  of  the  ill- 
fated  '  Cumberland '  merit  the  admiration  and  thanks  of  the 
whole  loyal  country.  The  sight  of  such  an  invulnerable 
monster  as  the  '  Merrimack '  bearing  straight  down  upon  a 
wooden  vessel,  not  in  the  least  affected  by  a  half  a  dozen 
heavy  broadsides,  would  have  unnerved  many  a  crew  ;  but 
it  had  no  effect  on  the  gallant  sailors  of  the  '  Cumberland.' 
They  kept  up  their  rapid  firing  till  the  iron  monster  crashed 
her  horn  into  the  side  of  the  '  Cumberland,'  knocking  in  a 
hole  as  large  as  the  head  of  a  hogshead.  Even  then,  while 
the  water  was  rushing  in  like  a  flood,  and  the  vessel  going 
down,  and  the  '  Merrimack,'  at  the  distance  of  three  hun- 
dred yards,  was  pouring  in  murderous  broadsides,  the  men 
fought  till  the  last  gun  was  submerged.  The  fight  continued 
three-quarters  of  an  hour ;  and  the  firing  of  the  '  Cumber- 
land's '  guns  was  so  accurate,  that,  when  one  of  the  '  Merri- 
mack's '  crew  crept  out  of  a  port  to  the  outside  of  her  plated 
roof,  a  ball  instantly  cut  him  in  two  !  We  do  not  believe 
that  there  is  an  action  on  record  which  shows  more  heroic 
fighting  than  this  hopeless  one  on  the  part  of  the  '  Cumber- 
land.' She  lies  now  in  fifty-four  feet  of  water,  with  the 
stars  and  stripes  still  flying  from  her  topmast ;  but  a  grateful 
country  will  honor  her  commander  and  her  decimated  crew." 

THE  HEROES  OF  THE  "CUMBERLAND."  —  The  following 
interesting  details  of  the  behavior  of  the  seamen  of  the 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVT.  105 

"  Cumberland "  are  from  a  private  letter  from  Philadel- 
phia :  — 

"  Dr.  Martin,  who  was  surgeon  on  board,  passed  through 
here  yesterday.  He  was  on  board  during  the  fight,  and 
gives  a  thrilling  account  of  the  scene.  So  far  from  being  a 
scene  of  confusion,  every  man  and  boy,  he  says,  showed  the 
most  astounding  courage  and  coolness.  Morris,  the  first 
officer  in  command,  fought  the  ship  most  gallantly ;  but 
after  the  'Merrimack'  had  run  her  down,  and  finding  that 
she  must  soon  sink,  he  told  every  man  to  jump  overboard, 
and  save  himself  as  he  best  could.  No  one  left  her  until 
the  water  began  to  pour  over  the  sills  of  the  ports.  Martin 
did  not  leave  his  post  below  until  told  that  he  had  not  an 
instant  to  lose.  As  he  passed  up,  the  men  were  firing  the 
last  guns.  He  says  he  looked  along  the  line  for  a  moment, 
and  saw  the  most  magnificent  sight  of  his  life.  As  they 
fired  the  last  broadside,  the  men  coolly  put  the  sponges  in 
the  racks  just  as  they  do  after  drill,  and  left  the  ship  only 
at  the  moment  when  she  was  settling  under  them.  The 
same  men,  fifteen  minutes  after  they  got  on  shore,  were  in 
the  water,  with  rifles,  helping  to  drive  the  rebel  gunboat 
from  the  '  Congress.'  " 

"  HEROIC  CONDUCT  OF  A  MASSACHUSETTS  SOLDIER.  — 
Lieut.  Loomis,  who  commanded  the  'Congress,'  after  firing 
the  last  shot  at  the  enemy,  when  all  hope  of  saving  his  ves- 
sel from  destruction  had  vanished,  jumped  into  the  river, 
and  endeavored  to  swim  ashore,  about  a  mile  distant.  At 
this  time,  the  shot  and  shell  from  the  '  Merrimack '  were  fly- 


106      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

ing  in  all  directions ;  and  escape  seemed  impossible,  even 
could  his  strength  hold  out.  At  this  critical  juncture,  a 
soldier  of  the  Twenty-ninth  Massachusetts  Regiment,  Col. 
E.  W.  Pierce  commanding,  sprang  into  the  boat,  and  made 
for  the  half-sinking  lieutenant.  After  prodigious  exertion, 
he  succeeded,  and  brought  him  safe  to  shore." 

To  our  lamented  President,  the  news  of  the  David  and 
Goliath  encounter  was  most  welcome ;  and  he  showed  his 
appreciation  of  the  value  of  the  services  then  rendered  by 
the  "Monitor"  and  her  gallant  crew  when  he  visited  the 
wounded  commander.  A  newspaper  *  correspondent  thus 
describes  the  visit  :  — 

"That  night  I  left  the  Fortress,  and  got  Worden  safe  home 
in  Washington  City ;  when,  leaving  him  to  the  care  of  my 
wife,  I  went  with  the  Secretary  to  the  President,  and  gave 
him  the  particulars  of  the  engagement.  As  soon  as  I  had 
done,  Mr.  Lincoln  said,  '  Gentlemen,  I'm  going  to  shake 
hands  with  that  man  ; '  and  presently  he  walked  round  with 
me  to  our  little  house.  I  led  him  up  stairs  to  the  room  where 
Worden  was  lying  with  fresh  bandages  over  his  scorched 
eyes  and  face,  and  said,  'Jack,  here's  the  President,  who 
has  come  to  see  you  ! '  He  raised  himself  on  his  elbow,  as 
Mr.  Lincoln  took  him  by  the  hand,  and  said,  '  You  do  me 
great  honor,  Mr.  President ;  and  I  am  only  sorry  that  I 
can't  see  you.'  The  President  was  visibly  affected,  as,  with 
tall  frame  and  earnest  gaze,  he  bent  over  his  wounded 
subordinate ;  but  after  a  pause  he  said,  with  a  quiver 

*  Advertiser. 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  107 

in  the  tone  of  his  voice,  '  You  have  done  me  more  honor, 
sir,  than  I  could  do  you.'  He  then  sat  down,  while  Wor- 
den  gave  him  an  account  of  the  battle  ;  and,  on  leaving,  he 
promised,  if  he  could  legally  do  so,  that  he  would  make 
him  a  captain." 

The  services  rendered  by  our  brave  sailors  in  subduing 
the  Rebellion  were  invaluable.  Not  only  did  the  Chief 
Magistrate  of  the  nation  appreciate  them,  but  the  humblest 
loyal  heart  throbbed  in  sympathy  with  the  spirit  that  would 
wreathe  the  names  of  our  naval  heroes  with  immortal 
honor.  A  writer  in  a  religious  paper  *  thus  expresses  his 
feelings :  — 

"  I  was  walking  up  Broadway  the  other  day,  when  a  sailor 
passed  me.  He  wore  the  navy  blue.  His  beaming  eye 
bespoke  an  intelligent  patriotism.  His  stalwart  form  and 
sinewy  frame  must  have  come  from  the  mountain  regions. 
Perhaps  near  Kearsarge  Mountain  was  his  home.  Every 
one  noted  him  as  he  pa'ssed.  He  seemed  to  be  proud  of  the 
national  uniform  which  covered  his  commanding  figure. 
Just  opposite  us,  as  we  were  side  by  side,  the  starry  flag 
was  flung  from  a  window.  It  floated  on  the  air  of  the  free 
United  States.  The  sailor  paused,  and  looked  at  the  ban- 
ner :  his  eye  beamed  with  a  new  light,  and,  his  moving  lip 
breathed  afresh  its  devotion ;  but  his  hat  was  not  touched 
by  the  ready  hand,  nor  was  his  arm  raised  to  greet  the  flag 
he  loved.  Both  arms  had  been  shot  away.  Two  empty 
coat-sleeves  dangled  from  his  shoulders.  They  were  two 
coat-sleeves,  not  empty;  full,  full  of  pathos,  —  a  pathos  which 

*  The  Home  Evangelist. 


108      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

touched  me,  which  thrilled  me.  Perhaps  he  was  one  of  the 
crew  of  the  'Kearsarge'  when  she  sent  the  'Alabama'  to 
the  bottom.  "Wherever  he  had  been,  his  duty  had  been 
done.  Patriotism  could  ask  no  more  of  her  noble  offspring. 
It  dimmed  my  eye  to  look  upon  the  gallant  fellow,  and  think 
of  the  sacrifice  made  by  him  ;  but  he  gazed  smilingly  upon 
the  flag,  and  seemed  to  say,  '  What  I  have  given  I  count  no 
sacrifice,  old  flag.  Pd  make  my  life  a  rampart  to  defend 
you.'  Noble  fellow  !  I  love  him  as  I  love  few  men.  I  feel 
a  thrill  of  pride  in  thinking  of  him  as  my  own  countryman. 
The  friends  who  own  him,  who  serve  him,  who  enjoy  his 
companionship,  how  proud  they  are  to  note  the  heart-heaving 
gratitude  of  the  thousands  who  meet  the  hero !  His  gen- 
erosity is  known :  he  gives ;  he  has  given  his  arms  to  his 
country." 

The  allusion  to  the  "Kearsarge"  is  best  explained  by  the 
following  account  of  the  heroic  achievement  ef  that  craft 
and  her  gallant  crew :  — 

"  The  '  Kearsarge '  was  one  of  the  steam  war-vessels  of  the 
United-States  navy,  and  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  Cher- 
bourg to  watch  the  movements  of  the  'Alabama,'  one  of 
the  privateers  of  the  Southern  Confederacy,  whose  preda- 
tory career  had  been  far  from  agreeable  to  our  Govern- 
ment, or  the  unfortunate  ships  which  came  in  her  way  only 
to  be  captured,  and  sometimes  destroyed.  On  the  15th  of 
June,  1864,  the  commander  of  the  '  Kearsarge,'  Capt. 
John  A.  Winslow,  received  a  note  from  Capt.  Semmes,  of 
the  'Alabama,'  announcing  his  intention  to  fight  the 
4  Kearsarge,'  and  asking  Capt.  Winslow  not  to  depart  till 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  109 

there  had  been  a  trial  of  strength  between  them.     As  this 
was  just  what  the  Federal  officer  desired,  he  gladly  waited. 
"The  relative  proportions  and  armaments   of  the   two 
antagonists  were  as  follows :  — 

"ALABAMA."  "KEABSABGE." 

Length  over  all,  220  feet.  214$  feet. 

Length  on  water  line,  210    "  198i    " 

Beam,  32     "  33      " 

Depth,  17     «  16      " 

Horse-power,  two  engines  of  300  each,  400  horse-power. 

Tonnage,  1,150  tons.  1,030  tons. 

Armament  of  the  "Alabama:"  One  7-inch  Blakely  rifle,  one  8-inch 

smooth-bore  68-pounder,  six  32-pounders. 
Armament  of  the  "  Kearsarge : "  Two  11 -inch  smooth-bore  guns,  one 

30-pounder.  rifle,  four  32-pounders. 

"  The  '  Kearsarge '  had  twenty-two  officers  and  one  hun- 
dred and  forty  men ;  and  the  '  Alabama,'  so  far  as  can  be 
ascertained,  about  one  hundred  and  forty  officers  and  men, 
the  greater  part  of  the  ship's  company  consisting  of  British 
subjects.  Her  gunners  were  trained  artillerists  from  the 
British  practice-ship  '  Excellent.'  Availing  himself  of  an 
ingenious  expedient  for  the  protection  of  his  machinery,  first 
adopted  by  Admiral  Farragut  in  running  past  the  rebel 
forts  on  the  Mississippi  in  1862,  Capt.  "Winslow  had  hung 
all  his  spare  anchor-cable  over  the  midship  section  of  the 
*  Kearsarge,'  on  either  side  ;  and,  in  order  to  make  the  ad- 
dition less  unsightly,  the  chains  were  boxed  over  with  inch 
deal-boards,  forming  a  sort  of  case,  which  stood  out  at 
right  angles  to  the  side  of  the  vessel. 


110       FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

"At  twenty  minutes  past  ten  on  Sunday  morning, 
June  19,  the  'Alabama'  was  seen  standing  out  from  Cher- 
bourg Harbor,  accompanied  by  the  French  iron-clad  '  Cou- 
ronne,'  and  followed  by  the  steam -yacht  '  Deerhound,' 
whose  owner,  an  Englishman  named  Lancaster,  was  on 
board  with  his  family,  ostensibly  to  witness  the  engage- 
ment, but  really,  as  it  subsequently  appeared,  to  act  as  a 
tender  to  the  '  Alabama.' 

"Upon  seeing  the  'Alabama'  approach,  Capt.  Winslow 
kept  out  to  sea  a  few  miles,  in  order  '  that  the  positions  of 
the  ships  should  be  so  far  off  shore,  that  no  questions  could 
be  advanced  about  the  line  of  jurisdiction.'  Upon  reaching 
a  point  about  seven  miles  from  the  land,  the  'Kearsarge' 
put  about,  and  steered  directly  for  the  '  Alabama,'  which 
first  opened  fire  at  a  range  of  about  a  mile.  The  following 
account  of  the  fight  that  ensued  is  given  by  Capt.  Winslow :  — 

" '  Immediately  I  ordered  more  speed  ;  but  in  two  minutes 
the  "  Alabama"  had  again  loaded,  and  fired  another  broad- 
side, and  followed  it  with  a  third,  without  damaging  us,  ex- 
cept in  rigging.  We  had  now  arrived  within  nine  hundred 
yards  of  her  ;  and  I  was  apprehensive  that  another  broadside, 
nearly  raking  as  it  was,  would  prove  disastrous.  Accord- 
ingly, I  ordered  the  "  Kearsarge  "  sheered,  and  opened  fire 
on  the  "Alabama." 

"  '  The  positions  of  the  vessels  were  now  broadside  ;  but 
it  was  soon  apparent  that  Capt.  Semmes  did  not  seek  close 
action.  I  became  then  fearful,  lest,  after  some  fighting,  he 
would  again  make  for  the  shore.  To  defeat  this,  I  deter- 
mined to  keep  full  speed  on,  and,  with  a  port  helm,  to  run 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  Ill 

under  the  stern  of  the  "Alabama,"  and  rake,  if  he  did  not 
prevent  it  by  sheering  and  keeping  his  broadside  to  us.  He 
adopted  this  mode  as  a  preventive  ;  and,  as  a  consequence, 
the  "  Alabama"  was  forced,  with  a  full  head  of  steam,  into  a 
circular  track  during  the  engagement. 

" '  The  effect  of  this  manoeuvre  was  such,  that  at  the  last 
of  the  action,  when  the  "  Alabama"  would  have  made  off, 
she  was  near  five  miles  from  the  shore  ;  and  had  the  action 
continued  from  the  first  in  parallel  lines,  with  her  head  in 
shore,  the  line  of  jurisdiction  would  no  doubt  have  been 
reached. 

'"The  firing  of  the  "  Alabama"  from  the  first  was  rapid 
and  wild :  toward  the  close  of  the  action,  her  firing  became 
better.  Our  men,  who  had  been  cautioned  against  rapid 
firing  without  direct  aim,  were  much  more  deliberate  ;  and 
the  instructions  given  to  point  the  heavy  guns  below  rather 
than  above  the  water-line,  and  clear  the  deck  with  the 
lighter  ones,  were  fully  observed.  I  had  endeavored  with  a 
port  helm  to  close  in  with  the  "  Alabama  ;  "  but  it  was  not 
until  just  before  the  close  of  the  action  that  we  were  in  a 
position  to  use  grape  :  this  was  avoided,  however,  by  her 
surrender.  The  effect  of  the  training  of  our  men  was  evi- 
dent :  nearly  every  shot  from  our  guns  was  telling  fearfully 
on  the  "  Alabama ; "  and,  on  the  seventh  rotation  on  the 
circular  track,  she  winded,  setting  fore-trysail  and  two  jibs, 
with  head  in  shore. 

" '  Her  speed  was  now  retarded  ;  and,  by  winding,  her  port 
broadside  was  presented  to  us  with  only  two  guns  bearing  ; 
not  having  been  able,  as  I  learned  afterward,  to  shift  over 


112      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

but  one.  I  saw  now  that  she  was  at  our  mercy  ;  and  a  few 
more  guns,  well  directed,  brought  down  her  flag.  I  was 
unable  to  ascertain  whether  they  had  been  hauled  down  or 
shot  away ;  but  a  white  flag  having  been  displayed  over  the 
stern,  followed  by  two  guns  fired  to  leeward,  our  fire  was 
reserved.  Two  minutes  had  not  more  than  elapsed  before 
she  again  opened  on  us  with  the  two  guns  on  the  port  side. 
This  drew  our  fire  again  ;  and  the  "Kearsarge"  was  imme- 
diately steamed  ahead,  and  lay  across  her  bows  for  raking. 

" '  The  white  flag  was  still  flying,  and  our  fire  was  again 
reserved.  Shortly  after  this,  her  boats  were  seen  to  be  lower- 
ing ;  and  an  officer  in  one  of  them  came  alongside,  and  in- 
formed us  the  ship  had  surrendered  and  was  fast  sinking.  In 
twenty  minutes  from  this  time,  the  "Alabama"  went  down  ; 
her  mainmast,  which  had  received  a  shot,  breaking  near  the 
head  as  she  sunk,  and  her  bow  rising  high  out  of  the  water 
as  her  stern  rapidly  settled.  The  fire  of  the  "  Alabama," 
although  it  is  stated  she  discharged  three  hundred  and 
seventy  or  more  shell  and  shot,  was  not  of  serious  damage  to 
the  "  Kearsarge."  Some  thirteen  or  fourteen  of  these  had 
taken  effect  in  and  about  the  hull,  and  sixteen  or  seventeen 
about  the  waist  and  rigging.' 

"The  boats  of  the  'Kearsarge'  were  at  once  sent  to 
receive  the  officers  and  crew  of  the  '  Alabama ; '  but  so 
rapidly  did  she  go  down,  that  it  was  impossible  to  save 
them  all  without  assistance.  Capt.  ^Vinslow  accordingly 
requested  the  '  Deerhound,'  which  had  meanwhile  come 
alongside,  to  assist  in  the  rescue  of  his  prisoners.  The 
crew  of  the  privateer  were  by  this  time  struggling  for  their 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  113 

lives  in  the  water ;  and  many  of  the  wounded  men  went 
down.  In  the  confusion  of  the  moment,  the  '  Deerhound,' 
after  picking  up  forty-one  persons,  including  Semmes,  who 
was  wounded,  steamed  off  toward  the  English  coast ;  and, 
when  observed,  had  got  too  much  the  start  to  be  overhauled. 
The  total  number  brought  on  board  the  '  Kearsarge '  was 
sixty-nine,  of  whom  seventeen  were  wounded,  and  twelve 
were  picked  up,  and  carried  into  Cherbourg,  by  two  French 
pilot-boats.  Several  of  the  wounded  died  soon  after ;  and 
the  total  number  of  officers  and  men  belonging  to  the 

*  Alabama,'    who    were    landed    in   France    or    England, 
amounted  to  one  hundred  and  fifteen.     The  casualties  of  the 

*  Kearsarge '  amounted  to  only  three  wounded.     This  most 
remarkable  sea-fight  between  single  ships,  that  has  occurred 
within  the  century,  was  witnessed  by  thousands  of  spectators 
on  the  French  shore  ;  and  the  result  produced  a  profound 
impression  in  Europe  and  America."  * 

The  "  Alabama "  had  been  such  a  terror  to  the  people 
on  the  Atlantic  coast,  and  to  all  who  had  friends  out  upon 
the  ocean  liable  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  her  piratical  crew, 
that  the  news  of  her  capture  afforded  great  joy  ;  and,  when 
the  "  Kearsarge"  returned  to  the  East,  her  officers  and  men 
were  received  with  well-deserved  honors. 

Many  of  the  navy  officers  at  the  commencement  of  the  war 
ignominiously  deserted  the  flag  they  were  pledged  to  defend. 
But  there  were  left  a  "  faithful  few,"  whom  loyal  hearts 
should  never  forget,  or  cease  to  honor.  The  commander  of 
the  "  Crusader,"  f  at  Mobile,  when  his  gunboat  was  exposed 

*  Annual  Cyclopaedia,  1864.  |  Lieut.  J.  N.  Muffit. 

8 


114      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

to  the  fire  of  Fort  Morgan,  which  the  enemy  had  seized,  was 
commanded  to  surrender  his  vessel  to  the  State  of  Alabama. 
His  noble  reply  was,  "  I  may  be  overpowered  ;  but,  in  that 
event,  what  will  be  left  of  the  '  Crusader '  will  not  be  worth 
taking." 

Capt.  Porter,  of  the  ship  "  St.  Mary's,"  was  ordered  to 
surrender  to  a  South-Carolina  officer  ;  but  he  also  nobly 
answered,  — 

"You,  sir,  have  called  upon  your  brother-officers,  not 
only  to  become  traitors  to  their  country,  but  to  betray  their 
sacred  trust,  and  deliver  up  the  ships  under  their  command. 
This  infamous  appeal  would,  ia  ordinary  times,  be  treated 
with  the  contempt  it  deserved ;  but  I  feel  it  a  duty  I  owe 
myself,  and  brother-officers  with  whom  I  am  associated,  to 
reply,  and  state,  that  all  under  my  command  are  true  and 
loyal  to  the  stars  and  stripes  and  to  the  Constitution.  My 
duty  is  plain  before  me.  The  Government  of  the  United 
States  has  intrusted  me  with  the  command  of  this  beauti- 
ful ship  ;  and,  before  I  will  permit  any  other  flag  than  the 
stars  and  stripes  to  fly  at  her  peak,  I  will  fire  a  pistol  in 
her  magazine,  and  blow  her  up.  This  is  my  answer  to  your 
infamous  letter." 

There  were  sixteen  naval  engagements  during  the  war. 
Some  of  them  were  gunboat  expeditions ;  but  in  most  of 
them  the  large  iron-clads  took  a  prominent  part.  Gen. 
Fremont  is  said  to  have  been  the  originator  of  the  Missis- 
sippi gunboat  expedition,  which  proved  so  efficient  in 
capturing  those  forts  by  means  of  which  the  enemy  hoped 
to  keep  a  large  part  of  the  Mississippi  closed  to  the  North. 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  115 

Many  more  pages  than  this  volume  will  contain  would  be 
needed  if  a  full  and  connected  history  of  the  gunboat  expedi- 
tions, which  reflect  such  honor  upon  American  sailors,  should 
be  given.  Hence  there  will  be  presented  to  the  reader  only 
somewhat  brief  sketches  of  our  naval  exploits,  and  some  in- 
cidents of  interest  which  occurred  in  connection  with  them. 

During  the  naval  engagement  at  Fort  Pillow,  the  Fed- 
eral gunboat  "Cincinnati"  was  caught  in  a  very  critical 
position  by  the  rebel  fleet,  being  two  or  three  miles  farther 
down  the  stream  than  her  consorts.  She  had  to  sustain  the 
unexpected  onset  of  six  huge  rebel  gunboats,  but  met  them 
right  gallantly,  fearful  as  were  the  odds.  A  letter  written 
by  a  person  who  was  on  board  the  "  Cincinnati "  during  the 
battle  is  published  in  the  "Chicago  Tribune."  It  gives  a 
graphic  description  of  the  fight.  We  quote  :  — 

"  One  glance  around  showed  us  how  critical  was  the  state 
of  affairs.  Fully  two  miles  and  a  half  lay  between  us  and 
the  remainder  of  the  flotilla,  who,  not  anticipating  an  attack, 
lay,  with  steam  down,  tied  securely  to  the  shore,  far  above 
us.  To  attempt  to  escape  up  the  river,  then,  were  worse 
than  useless.  Our  only  hope  was  in  God  and  our  noble 
guns.  'Down  stream  with  her!'  cried  the  captain ;  and, 
obeying  her  rudder,  the  '  Cincinnati '  slowly  swung  round. 
The  first  rebel  boat,  which  was  now  but  a  few  hundred  yards 
from  us,  divining  our  intention,  sheered  out  to  get  a  chance 
at  our  stern  as  we  came  around  ;  the  next  one  came  directly 
on  ;  while  the  third  kept  in  toward  the  shore. 

"  We  were  thus  surrounded  on  all  sides.  Turning  di- 
rectly for  the  largest  of  our  adversaries,  we  poured  into  her 


116         FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

sides  the  whole  starboard  battery  at  a  distance  of  not  over 
three  hundred  yards.  This  huge  craft,  being  now  above  us, 
turned,  and  headed  directly  for  our  starboard  quarter ;  her 
immense  hull  looming  full  thirty  feet  above  the  surface  of 
the  river,  —  not  a  man,  nor  a  gun,  nor  any  thing  but  a  huge 
black  mass,  to  be  seen.  Down  *she  came,  ploughing  up  the 
water  with  her  bows.  '  Give  it  to  her,  boys  ! '  shouted  the 
gunner.  A  bright  flash,  a  deafening  roar,  and  a  whole 
broadside  poured  into  her  hull ;  but  it  did  not  arrest  her 
progress ;  and  the  next  instant,  with  a  terrible  crash,  she 
came  into  our  starboard  quarter.  "We  seemed  to  be  lifted 
bodily  out  of  the  water.  "We  surged  on  to  one  side,  but 
soon  settled  back  as  the  rebel  boat  drew  back. 

"  She  turned  again  on  us ;  when  the  '  Cincinnati,'  even 
then  in  a  sinking  condition,  swung  a  little,  and,  at  a  di.-hiucc 
of  only  ten  yards,  sent  a  terrible  shower  of  solid  shot  crash- 
ing through  the  monster's  ribs.  Smoke  and  steam  came 
pouring  out  of  her  upper  works.  Quickly  loading  again, 
though  so  near  that  the  balls  were  with  difficulty  rammed 
home,  the  starboard  battery  belched  forth  another  broadside. 
Through  and  through  the  black  hulk  the  balls  tore  their 
way.  The  monster's  vitals  are  touched ;  his  head  swings 
off  several  points  ;  and  slowly  the  huge  mass  drifts  down 
stream.  During  this  time,  another  craft,  painted  a  dirty  mud- 
color,  of  the  same  build,  but  not  quite  so  large,  as  our  first 
adversary,  came  steaming  down  on  our  port-quarter  ;  but,  on 
our  sheering,  she  fell  astern,  and,  crowding  on  all  steam,  came 
fairly  flying  at  us.  Our  stern-battery  only  got  two  shots  at 
her  ;  when,  about  three  minutes  after  the  first  shot  struck, 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  117 

the  second  came  into  our  stern  with  a  crash  that  took  nearly 
every  one  off  their  feet. 

"  The  water  poured  into  our  hull  in  two  unbroken  streams. 
Capt.  Stembel  had  been  shot  while  giving  orders  on  the 
spar-deck  ;  and,  about  the  same  time,  the  fourth  master,  while 
gallantly  working  his  division,  was  shot  down  in  his  foot- 
steps by  a  shot  through  the  port-hole.  The  boat  was  gradu- 
ally settling  ;  and  a  deep  gloom  overspread  the  crew  as  our 
appalling  situation  became  evident.  A  cheer  reaches  our 
ears ;  and  joy  comes  to  every  heart  as  our  eyes  greet  the 
'  Benton,'  '  Carondelet,'  '  Mound  City,'  *  Pittsburg,'  and 
'  St.  Louis '  sweeping  like  an  avalanche  into  the  rebel  fleet. 
Now  came  a  naval  engagement,  the  like  of  which  has  been 
seldom  seen,  —  the  rams  trying  to  run  our  boats  down  while 
we  poured  broadside  after  broadside  into  their  huge  hulls. 
They  were  not  done  with  us  yet. 

"  Our  last  adversary  drew  back  from  us  some  hundred 
yards,  and,  cracking  on  steam,  came  rushing  along  at  a  fear- 
ful rate.  The  port  stern  gun  was  trained  on  her ;  and  a  solid 
32-pounder  ball  entered  her  bow,  and  raked  the  entire 
length  of  the  boat.  '  Haul  down  your  flag,  Yanks,  and 
we'll  save  you  ! '  shouted  some  one.  Another  32  was  the 
only  response  ;  and  the  next  instant  she  struck  just  inside  the 
starboard  rudder.  The  water  was  now  rising  in  the  boat  at  a 
fearful  rate  :  the  engineers  were  up  to  their  waists  in  Avater : 
a  few  inches  more  would  put  out  the  fires.  Under  the  im- 
pression that  it  was  useless  to  attempt  to  save  her,  the  first 
master  came  down  the  companion-way,  and  said,  '  Boys, 
fight  while  you  can :  our  flag  will  not  go  down  until  we  do.' 


118      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

"  The  men  cheered,  and  with  renewed  alacrity  sprang  to 
their  guns :  those  at  the  starboard  battery  had  two  broad- 
sides at  a  rebel  craft  which  was  trying  to  run  the  '  Caron- 
delet ; '  but  the  '  Benton '  came  between  us,  and  engaged  it. 
She  gave  first  her  bow-guns  ;  wheeling,  she  delivered  a 
whole  broadside,  and  last  her  stern  battery.  The  rebel 
craft,  having  an  immense  hole  in  her  bow,  hauled  down  her 
flag ;  when  the  '  Benton '  ceased  firing,  and  left  for  another  : 
but  she  was  no  sooner  away  than  the  cowardly,  dastardly 
rebels  ran  it  up  again. 

"  Three  of  the  rebel  boats  were  now  drifting  helplessly 
down  stream  ;  one,  the  '  Mexico,'  was  laboring  heavily,  while 
another  was  on  fire  :  but  our  own  condition  was  too  critical 
to  pay  much  attention  to  any  thing  else.  We  were  slowly 
drifting  down  stream,  and  would  soon  be  in  range  of  the 
fort.  Our  rudders  smashed,  the  fires  out,  our  case  did 
indeed  look  hopeless.  But  the  gallant  old  'Cincinnati '  was 
not  destined  to  be  another  '  Cumberland  : '  her  days,  glori- 
ous as  they  have  been,  were  not  over  yet.  The  powerful 
little  tugs  '  Jessie  Benton '  and  '  Dauntless '  made  fast  to  her 
bow,  and  succeeded  in  running  the  boat  quarterwise  across 
the  river,  just  in  time  to  get  her  on  the  bank,  when  she 
sunk.1' 

"Carleton,"  of  the  "Boston  Journal,"*  thus  graphically  pic- 
tures the  destruction  of  a  rebel  gunboat :  — 

"  DESTRUCTION  OF  THE  '  NASHVILLE.' — The  rebel  steamer 
"  Nashville,'  which  began  piratical  depredations  by  burning 

*  C.  C.  Coffin,  Esq. 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  119 

the  ship  '  Harvey  Birch,'  has  been  cooped  up  at  Savannah 
for  several  months.  Several  times  we  have  had  reports  of  her 
running  the  blockade,  and  escaping  seaward, — fabricated, 
doubtless,  to  mislead  our  blockading  fleet,  —  but  our  lookouts 
along  the  coast  have  seen  her  quite  often  inside.  She  had  a 
choice  of  three  channels  in  "her  endeavor  to  escape,  —  by  the 
Savannah  River,  past  Pulaski,  by  the  Wilmington  River,  or 
by  the  Ogeechee ;  the  two  last  named  being  connected  with 
Savannah  at  high  water  by  creeks.  For  several  weeks  past, 
she  has  been  seen  in  the  Ogeechee  above  Fort  McAllister. 
By  contrabands  who  have  come  in,  we  learn  that  the  com- 
mander at  Fort  McAllister  had  high  words  with  the  captain 
of  the  '  Nashville,'  accusing  him  of  cowardice  in  not  at- 
tempting to  run  the  blockade. 

"  On  Saturday  morning,  the  last  day  of  February,  a  dense 
fog  hung  over  the  marshes,  islands,  and  inlets  of  Ossabaw 
Sound.  The  '  Montauk '  lay  at  her  anchorage,  at  the 
junction  of  the  Great  and  Little  Ogeechee  Rivers  :  just  below 
her,  toward  the  sea,  were  the  '  Seneca,' '  Flambeau,' '  Dawn,' 
'  Sebago,'  and  '  Wisahickon.'  The  fog  lifted  about  seven 
o'clock,  and  disclosed  the  '  Nashville '  aground  above  Fort 
McAllister.  The  'Montauk'  up  with  her  anchor,  and 
steamed  up  stream.  As  she  came  within  range  of  the  Tort, 
she  received  a  furious  fire,  to  which  she  paid  no  heed.  Tak- 
ing a  position  fifteen  hundred  yards,  or  about  three-fourths 
of  a  mile,  distant  from  the  '  Nashville,'  and  about  half  a  mile 
from  the  fort,  she  opened  upon  the  '  Nashville '  with  both 
her  guns.  The  '  Nashville '  replied  with  her  hundred- 
pound  rifle-gun.  At  the  fifth  shot,  black  smoke  was  seen 


120      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

issuing  from  the  '  Nashville,'  which  increased  in  volume. 
The  '  Montauk '  still  kept  up  her  fire,  throwing  six  fifteen- 
inch  and  eight  eleven-inch  shells  ;  nearly  all  of  which  struck 
the  fated  steamer,  which  was  soon  in  flames  from  stem  to 
stern.  She  burned  till  the  fire  reached  her  magazine,  when 
a  terrific  explosion  tore  her  to  pieces.  By  the  negroes  who 
have  come  in,  we  learn  that  she  had  about  five  hundred 
bales  of  cotton  and  a  large  amount  of  turpentine  on  board. 
The  blackness  of  the  smoke,  and  the  rapidity  with  which  the 
flames  spread,  make  it  a  probable  story. 

"  Capt.  Worden  was  strongly  tempted  to  engage  the  fort : 
and  his  crew,  elated  with  what  had  been  accomplished  in  so 
short  a  time,  desired  to  continue  the  work ;  but,  knowing 
that  the  '  Passaic '  was  on  her  way  from  "Wilmington  River 
to  join  in  an  attack,  he  quietly  withdrew,  paying  no  more 
attention  to  the  shot  falling  around  the  '  Montauk,'  and  rat- 
tling against  her  sides,  than  if  they  were  so  many  peas 
blown  from  a  pop-gun.  So  the  '  Nashville '  received  her 
retribution." 

One  after  another,  the  gunboats  and  iron-clads  of  the 
rebels  disappeared  ;  in  many  cases  committing  suicide,  as  it 
were,  as  did  the  monster  "  Merrimack,"  which  was  blown 
up  in  Norfolk  Harbor  by  her  owners,  or  rather  the  thieves 
who  had  her  in  possession.  Thus  did  the  "  Diana,"  the 
"  Queen  of  the  West,"  and  "  Nashville  "  disappear.  The 
following  is  Carleton's  account  of  the  destruction  of  two 
of  these  vessels  :  — 

"  A  short  time  after  the  battle  of  the  morning  had  ceased, 
the  famous  '  Diana '  came  puffing  up  the  Teche,  and,  laying 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  121 

in  sight  of  our  skirmishers,  began  to  shell  the  woods  in 
which  our  skirmishers  lay.  She  was  provided  with  good 
ammunition,  because,  forsooth,  she  was  so  lately  stolen 
from  Uncle  Sam.  Her  firing  was  kept  up  continuously  for 
several  hours  ;  but,  so  far  as  heard  from,  only  one  man  was 
injured  by  it,  though  her  shells  came  in  uncomfortable  prox- 
imity to  several  impromptu  hospitals  in  the  edge  of  the 
woods.  The  skirmishers  were  hid  behind  the  massive 
trunks  of  the  live-oaks  by  the  banks  of  the  river,  with 
orders  to  pick  off  the  gunners  if  the  vessel  advanced  far- 
ther up  the  bayou  ;  but  the  precaution  was  useless.  Already 
her  doom  was  written  in  the  book  of  fate.  A  louder  report 
than  any  of  the  rest  startled  us  ;  but  no  shell  came  crashing 
through  the  trees.  The  '  Diana '  —  the  prize  over  which  so 
much  Confederate  joy  had  been  wasted  —  was  no  more. 
Close  pressed  behind  by  Gen.  Banks,  and  fearful  of  falling 
into  Gen.  Grover's  trap  by  advancing,  the  rebels  had  applied 
the  match  ;  and  the  explosion  we  heard  was  of  her  maga- 
zine, as  her  splintered  planks  and  timbers  littered  the  bayou 
and  the  adjacent  shores,  and 

'  Down  her  black  hulk  did  reel 
Through  the  black  water.' 

"  A  NAVAL  VICTORY. — The  most  brilliant  thing  of  the 
whole  campaign,  or  at  least  that  on  which  most  re- 
joicing is  based,  was  the  encounter  between  the  *  Queen 
of  the  West'  and  her  comrades,  and  our  fleet  in  Grand 
Gulf.  I  have  the  facts  from  one  of  the  officers  of  the  '  Ari- 
zona,' and  give  you  his  plain  statement :  '  Shortly  after 
daybreak  on  Monday  morning,  the  "  Queen  of  the  West," 


122      FIELD,   GUSBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AXD  PRISON. 

with  the  "  General  Quitman  "  and  the  "  Lizzie  Emmons," 
steamed  down  from  Buttc  la  Rose,  on  the  Gulf,  and  showed 
signs  of  attempting  to  sink  the  "  Arizona  "  and  other  vessels 
of  our  fleet.  In  the  contest,  a  shot  from  the  "Arizona" 
struck  the  rebel  amidships,  setting  her  on  fire  ;  and,  shortly 
after,  she  exploded.  In  the  neighborhood  of  a  hundred 
of  the  poor  fellows  on  board  were  either  drowned,  or 
burned  to  death  ;  and  some  thirty  were  taken  prisoners, 
including  Capt.  Jewett,  whom  the  rebels  take  pride  in  styl- 
ing "  the  Paul  Jones  of  the  Southern  waters  ; "  and  Lieut. 
Semmes,  second  officer  (supposed  to  be  a  son  of  the  pirate). 
The  engineer  is  a  prisoner,  but  shockingly  scalded.  On 
witnessing  this  mishap,  the  other  boats  retreated  as  fast  as 
possible,  while  the  "  Arizona  "  started  in  pursuit,  but,  fearing 
an  ambuscade,  wisely  returned.'  Thus  it  will  be  seen  Provi- 
dence has  not  prospered  the  stealers  of  steamboats." 

Another  rebel  vessel  met  with  like  fate,  near  Baton 
Rouge.  Gen.  Butler,  in  thanking  the  Union  troops,  says, 
"  To  complete  the  victory,  the  iron-clad  steamer  '  Arkansas,' 
the  last  naval  hope  of  the  Rebellion,  hardly  awaited  the 
gallant  attack  of  the  '  Essex,'  but  followed  the  example  of 
her  sisters,  the  '  Merrimack,'  the  '  Manassas,'  the  '  Missis- 
sippi,' and  the  Louisiana,'  by  her  own  destruction." 
The  following  is  Admiral  Farragut's  own  report :  — 
"  As  soon  as  the  enemy  [on  shore]  was  repulsed,  Com- 
mander Porter,  with  the  gunboats,  went  up  stream  after  the 
ram  '  Arkansas,'  which  was  lying  about  five  miles  above, 
apparently  afraid  to  take  her  share  in  the  conflict. 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVT.  123 

"  According  to  a  preconcerted  plan,  as  he  came  within 
gunshot,  he  opened  on  her,  and  probably  soon  disabled  some 
of  her  machinery  or  steering  apparatus ;  for  she  became 
unmanageable,  continuing,  however,  to  fire  guns  at  the 
'  Essex.' 

"  Commander  Porter  says  he  took  advantage  of  her  pre- 
senting a  weak  point  towards  him,  and  loaded  his  guns  with 
incendiary  shells.  After  his  first  discharge  of  this  projec- 
tile, a  gush  of  fire  came  out  of  her  side ;  and  from  that 
moment  it  Avas  discovered  that  she  was  on  fire,  and  he  con- 
tinued his  exertions  to  prevent  it  from  being  extinguished. 

"  They  backed  her  ashore,  and  made  a  line  fast,  which 
soon  burnt,  and  she  swung  off  into  the  river,  where  she  con- 
tinued to  burn,  until  she  blew  up  with  a  tremendous  explosion  ; 
thus  ending  the  career  of  the  last  iron-clad  ram  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi. 

"  There  were  many  persons  on  the  banks  of  the  river 
witnessing  the  fight,  in  which  they  anticipated  a  triumph  for 
Secessia  ;  but,  on  the  return  of  the  '  Essex,'  not  a  soul  was  to 
be  seen. 

"  I  will  leave  a  sufficient  force  of  gunboats  to  support  the 
army,  and  will  return  to  New  Orleans,  and  depart  immedi- 
ately for  Ship  Island,  with  a  light  heart  that  I  have  left  no 
bugbear  to  torment  the  communities  of  the  Mississippi  in 
my  absence.  "  D.  G.  FARRAGUT." 

The  admiral  just  mentioned  is  a  moral  as  well  as  mili- 
tary hero.  The  following  from  a  religious  paper,*  gives  us 

*  Parish  Visitor. 


124      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

a  delightful  picture  of  one  who  has  earned  many  laurels  for 
his  country :  — 

"  Admiral  Farragut,  in  his  recent  successful  attack  on  the 
forts  in  Mobile  Bay,  did  a  very  heroic  thing,  and  the  nation 
rings  with  his  praises.  We  delight  to  tell,  and  you  delight 
to  hear,  how  he  lashed  himself  to  the  mast  aloft.  There, 
with  his  glass,  did  he  study  out  his  course  of  action,  and 
from  thence  did  he  send  down  to  the  deck  his  orders.  Not 
every  man  would  have  thought  of  such  a  post  of  observa- 
tion. The  commander's  place  is  usually  upon  the  quarter- 
deck. The  thought  of  the  admiral  which  took  him  to  the 
masthead  was  a  very  happy  ono".  It  was  an  ingenious  and 
fertile  expedient,  and  conduced  much,  undoubtedly,  to  his 
subsequent  victory. 

"  But  he  did  another  thing  before  he  went  to  the  mast- 
head to  look  sharp  after  the  rebels,  which  was  even  more  to 
his  credit.  We  have  one  version  of  the  action  from  the 
lips  of  the  Secretary  of  State.  This  honorable  gentleman 
recently  made  an  address  to  his  fellow-citizens  in  the  interior 
of  Xew  York.  He  places  this  anecdote  of  Admiral  Farragut 
among  the  first  of  his  remarks.  In  view  of  the  impending 
conflict,  some  of  the  officers  of  the  fleet  asked  whether  some 
rations  of  grog  should  not  be  served  out  to  the  men,  —  not 
enough  to  make  them  drunk,  but  some  to  enliven  their  spirits, 
and  make  them  fight  better.  The  admiral's  reply  was  as 
quick  and  sharp  and  forcible  as  one  of  his  broadsides  :  '  Xo, 
sir !  I  never  found  that  drinking  spirits  was  necessary  to  a 
faithful  discharge  of  duty.  You  may  tell  the  men  they  shall 
have  two  cups  of  good  coffee  each  at  two  o'clock  to-morrow 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  125 

morning,  just  as  we  go  into  action  ;  and  at  eight  o'clock  we 
will  breakfast  in  Mobile  Bay,  when  they  shall  have  more.' " 
The  description, by  "  Carleton,"  of  the  naval  battle  which 
resulted  in  the  recapture  of  Galveston,  is  of  such  interest  as 
to  justify  quotation.  Though  the  rebels  gained  a  brief  vic- 
tory on  this  occasion,  yet  the  display  of  heroism  and  valor 
on  the  part  of  our  loyal  sailors  was  as  great  as  if  their 
efforts  had  been  crowned  with  victory. 

'  "ATTACK  ON  THE  'HARRIET  LANE.'  —  About  two  o'clock, 
the  foremost  of  the  rebel  gunboats  turned,  and  seemed  in- 
clined to  go  into  Bolivar  Channel,  but  did  not  do  so ; 
probably  being  intimidated  by  the  appearance  of  the  trans- 
ports, of  whose  true  character  the  enemy  were  ignorant. 
The  enemy's  boats  increased  :  one  after  another  they  hove  in 
sight  through  the  mist  that  overhung  the  harbor,  till  finally 
appeared  two  rams  and  three  lofty  river  boats,  their  sides 
walled  up  with  three  tiers  of  cotton-bales  ;  behind  which,  on 
each  boat,  were  between  two  and  three  hundred  blood-thirsty 
rebels,  each  man  armed  with  two  revolvers,  a  rifle,  and  a 
bowie-knife.  They  had  been  plied  with  liquor,  and  were 
more  like  demons  than  men,  going  about  their  bloody  work. 
Three  of  the  steamers,  a  ram,  and  two  river  boats,  bore 
down  upon  the  '  Harriet  Lane,'  which  was  now  throwing 
shot  and  shell  upon  the  rebel  artillerymen  on  shore.  The 
other  two  boats,  on  one  of  which  was  Gen.  Magruder  in 
person,  lay  off  and  on  at  the  upper  end  of  Pelican  Island, 
watching  the  course  of  events  below  ;  while  away  in  the  dis- 
tance, up  the  bay,  rolled  a  turgid  column  of  ominous  smoke, 


126       FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

a  certain  indication  that  another  rebel  steamer  was  ap- 
proaching. 

"  The  moon,  which  had  all  this  time  shed  its  pale  rays 
over  land  and  sea,  rendering  visible  the  steamers  as  they  ap- 
proached, went  down  ;  and  a  Cimmerian  darkness  enshroud- 
ed the  scene.  From  out  the  blackness  flashed  the  bright-red 
glare  of  the  guns  of  the  '  Harriet  Lane,'  the  '  Sachem,'  and 
*  Owasco,'  and  the  rebel  artillery ;  while  the  air  resounded 
with  a  continuous  cannonade,  and  reports  of  musketry 
flashed  from  the  windows  of  buildings  in  which  the  rebel 
infantry  and  sharpshooters  were  concealed. 

"  Now  a  simultaneous  attack  was  made  upon  the  little 
pet  steamer  '  Lane '  from  the  town  and  rebel  boats.  The 
former  showed  fight,  and  driving,  stem  on,  into  one  of  the 
large  river  boats,  cracked  her  like  a  nut-shell.  The  rebel 
boats  closed  upon  her  ;  and  the  infuriated  soldiei-s  poured  a 
deadly  fire  of  musketry  upon  decks,  involving  officers  and 
men  in  the  general  slaughter.  Her  brave  sailors  were  shot 
down  at  the  guns  by  the  rebels,  who,  rendered  desperate  by 
famine  and  whiskey,  leaped  on  board ;  when  a  scene  of 
carnage  and  bloodshed  ensued,  which  is  without  a  parallel 
in  the  history  of  modern  warface.  Unable  to  cope  with 
such  superior  numbers,  —  the  enemy  had  at  least  three  thou- 
sand men  afloat,  —  the  small  remnant  of  the  gallant  crew 
were  driven  below,  to  be  again  forced  on  deck  and  butchered 
by  the  rebels,  who,  with  bowie-knife  and  revolver,  cut  down 
all  before  them.  The  gallant  and  accomplished  "Wainwright 
was  shot  through  the  knee  :  he  rallied,  and  with  his  revolver 
despatched  two  rebel  soldiers.  He  encouraged  his  men  to 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVT.  127 

fight,  and  shouted,  '  Stand  up  to  it,  boys  ! '  when  a  Confed- 
erate officer  approached,  and  blew  out  his  brains.  The  young 
and  intrepid  Lee  was  shot  through  the  bowels,  and  fell  mor- 
tally wounded.  He  cried  out  to  his  men,  '  The  enemy  will 
give  you  no  quarter  :  see  that  you  give  them  none  ! '  But 
what  can  men  do  against  such  fearful  odds  ?  Right  and  left 
the  horrible  butchery  went  on  ;  and  the  rebel  officers,  scarcely 
more  human  than  their  cut-throat  minions,  with  difficulty 
prevented  their  men  from  setting  up  the  few  survivors  as 
targets." 

"  THE  «  CLIFTON  '  TO  THE  RESCUE.  —  While  this  bloody 
business  was  going  on  on  board  the  '  Lane,'  the  other  Union 
gunboats  were  not  idle.  The  '  Owasco '  hurled  her  iron 
missiles  from  her  eleven-inch  '  growler ; '  and  the  '  Sachem ' 
blazed  away  with  her  long  32's  at  the  rebel  steamers,  which 
were  on  the  other  side  and  astern  of  the  '  Lane.'  The  latter 
had  disabled  one  of  her  adversaries,  which  sunk  alongside : 
another  got  her  head-gear  entangled  in  the  wheel  of  the 
'  Lane.' 

"The  'Clifton,'  unable  to  extricate  the  'Westfield'  from 
her  situation,  steamed  down  the  channel  on  her  way  to  the 
scene  of  attack.  While  she  had  been  tugging  at  the  '  West- 
field,'  the  rebels,  crossing  the  island  above  the  town,  with 
heavy  cannon  drawn  by  ten-mule  teams,  had  placed  sev- 
eral guns  in  position  behind  an  earthwork  at  Fort  Point. 
Nothing  was  seen  there  when  the  '  Clifton '  passed  the  point 
on  her  way  doAvn  ;  but,  as  she  neared  it  on  her  way  up,  the 
rebels  opened  fire  from  two  heavy  guns,  to  which  she  replied 


128      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

with  energy.  The  men  worked  like  heroes,  surprising  even 
Commander  Law  by  the  rapidity  of  their  fire  :  they  kept  a 
shell  in  the  air  all  the  time,  and  dropped  them  into  the  rebel 
work  with  such  precision  as  to  effectually  silence  the  rebel 
battery.  The  rebels  are  reported  to  have  had  forty  pieces 
of  artillery,  which  they  brought  to  bear  upon  our  gunboats 
and  the  barracks.  The  shore  of  Galveston  Island  flashed 
with  their  fire  from  the  gas-works  above  the  town  down  to 
Fort  Point,  and  kept  up  an  incessant  fire  ;  while,  from  build- 
ings on  shore,  the  rebel  sharpshooters  poured  a  galling  fire 
upon  the  decks  of  our  gunboats. 

"  Those  who  were  spectators  of  the  engagement  waited 
with  intense  anxiety  for  daylight.  The  guns  of  the  '  Har- 
riet Lane '  had  long  been  silent.  The  rebel  steamers  still 
lay  alongside  ;  but  no  one  outside  of  the  ill-fated  vessel  knew 
whether  she  had  captured  them,  or  they  had  taken  her. 
The  rebel  steamers  above  Pelican  Island  still  lay  smoking, 
evidently  waiting  to  learn  the  result  of  the  fighting." 

"  DAYLIGHT  AND  A  TRUCE  :  DEMAND  FOR  A  SURRENDER. 
—  In  the  gray  of  dawn,  the  '  Owasco '  ran  up  her  ensign  : 
the  '  Clifton '  and  '  Sachem '  did  the  same.  The  '  West- 
field'  displayed  the  commander's  pennon.  This  was  a 
moment  of  doubt  and  fear,  and  all  watched  to  see  what 
reply  came  from  the  '  Harriet  Lane.'  The  first  faint  streaks 
of  light  discovered  to  the  anxious  and  now  despondent 
spectators  a  white  flag  flying  from  the  '  Lane,'  and  the 
small  remnant  of  her  crew  who  had  survived  the  fearful 
slaughter  placed  by  the  rebels  in  such  a  position  that 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  129 

the  fire  from  any  of  our  vessels  must  have  been  fatal  to 
them. 

"  A  boat  put  off  from  the  '  Lane,'  in  which  were  a  rebel 
officer,  Capt.  Lovereux,  and  Acting  Master  Hannam,  who, 
with  eleven,  were  the  sole  survivors  of  her  devoted  officers 
and  crew.  They  proceeded  to  the  '  Clifton,'  where  the  rebel 
officer,  informing  Capt.  Law  that  the  '  Harriet  Lane '  had 
been  captured,  her  commander  killed,  her  executive  officer 
mortally  wounded,  and  her  second  officer  severely  wounded, 
demanded  the  surrender  of  all  the  Federal  vessels  in  port, 
with  the  exception  of  one  to  be  selected  by  the  vanquished, 
and  in  which  they  were  to  depart  with  all  their  people,  and 
leave  the  entire  coast  of  Texas.  The  rebel  officer  further 
stated,  that  the  '  Harriet  Lane '  and  three  other  steamers 
were  ready  to  move  against  the  Federal  ships,  provided  they 
were  not  surrendered. 

"Capt.  Law  proceeded  to  the  'Westfield'  to  refer  the 
matter  to  Commander  Renshaw,  who,  as  may  be  supposed, 
scorned  to  accept  the  terms,  and  refused  to  surrender  to  the 
enemy." 

"  PREPARATIONS  TO  EVACUATE.  —  Soon  after  the  above 
interview,  Commander  Renshaw  sent  a  boat  to  the  '  Mary 
Boardman,'  requesting  the  privilege  of  transferring  his 
officers  and  crew,  and  a  portion  of  the  ship's  furniture,  per- 
sonal effects,  and  such  other  articles  as  could  be  easily 
moved,  on  board  of  that  vessel ;  at  the  same  time  informing 
Capt.  Weir  of  the  '  Boardman '  that  he  intended  to  blow 
up  his  ship,  which  was  still  aground,  and  could  not  be  got 
o 


130      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

off  till  the  next  flood-tide,  if  then,  to  prevent  her  from  falling 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  who  were  now  preparing  to 
advance  in  full  force  upon  them.  The  request  was  granted ; 
and  the  crew  and  baggage  were  transferred  to  the  '  Board- 
man,'  which  was  all  the  while  under  way,  lying  near  the 
'  Westfield.'  In  the  mean  time,  the  rebel  steamers  up  the 
bay,  confident  of  their  victory,  steamed  down  to  the  scene 
of  the  engagement.  The  Federal  boats  at  the  same  time 
commenced  to  drop  down  the  channel ;  seeing  which,  the 
rebels  re-opened  their  batteries  upon  them.  The  battery 
at  Fort  Point  fired  into  the  bark  '  Cavallo,'  and  sunk  her  at 
her  anchors. 

"  Soon  after  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  rebel  rams 
began  to  move  down  toward  Fort  Point,  and  Commander 
Renshaw  immediately  sent  word  to  the  '  Boardman '  to  be 
ready  to  leave  the  harbor  as  soon  as  the  '  Westfield's '  men 
were  all  on  board.  The  '  Sachem '  fought  her  way  past  the 
shore-batteries  in  splendid  style :  the  coolness  and  bravery 
of  her  commander,  Acting  Master  Amos  Johnson,  excited 
the  admiration  of  all  who  witnessed  the  affair,  if  we  may 
except  the  rebels  themselves,  who  could  not  have  failed  to 
appreciate  the  intrepidity  which  he  displayed.  The  '  Clif- 
ton' proceeded  down  the  channel  as  far  as  Fort  Point, 
where  Capt.  Law  slowed  down  for  the  purpose  of  drawing 
the  fire  of  the  enemy,  if  he  showed  any  disposition  to  attack 
the  transports  as  they  passed  out." 

"BLOWING-UP  OF  THE  'WESTFIELD.' —  As  soon  as  it  had 
been  decided  to  blow  up  the  '  Westfield,'  Commander  Ren- 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  131 

shaw  gave  the  order  to  clear  the  ship,  and  a  scene  of  con- 
fusion followed.  The  men  hastily  collected  their  clothing 
and  other  articles,  and,  thrusting  them  into  bags,  tossed  bags, 
hammocks,  small  arms,  furniture,  and  various  personal 
effects,  into  the  boats,  which  went  back  and  forth  between 
the  'Westfield'  and  'Boardman.'  The  'Saxon'  took  off 
some  forty  odd  officers  and  men  ;  and  the  remainder  of  the 
crew  that  succeeded  in  getting  clear  of  the  'Westfield'  went 
on  board  the  'Boardman.'  Among  the  latter  was  Acting 
Master  Smalley,  who  deserves  great  credit  for  the  skill  and 
coolness  he  displayed  in  bringing  the  'Boardman'  out  of  the 
harbor. 

"  The  decks  of  the  '  Westfield '  were  covered  with  turpen- 
tine, trains  were  laid  to  the  magazine,  which  were  opened, 
and  the  safety-valves  of  the  boilers  were  chained  down,  to 
make  the  total  destruction  of  the  vessel  more  certain.  The 
magazines  were  full  of  powder :  there  were  one  hundred 
loaded  shells  on  deck ;  and  the  guns  were  loaded  for 
action.  A  fire  was  lighted  on  the  gun-deck  forward,  and 
the  ship  abandoned.  The  captain's  gig  was  alongside,  con- 
taining Lieut.  Zimmerman,  Chief  Engineer  Green,  Kelli- 
han,  the  quarter-gunner,  and  the  gig's  crew,  waiting  for 
Commander  Renshaw,  who  had  been  once  in  the  gig,  but 
had  just  set  foot  on  the  ladder  as  if  to  go  back,  when 
the  vessel  blew  up  with  a  tremendous  explosion.  Frag- 
ments of  shot  and  shell,  splinters  of  timber,  were  hurled 
to  an  immense  height ;  and  what  remained  of  the  shattered 
hull  settled  as  if  forced  down  by  an  enormous  weight. 
A  vast  column  of  flame  and  smoke  shot  up,  and  hid  the  ill- 


132      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

fated  vessel  from  sight.  When  the  smoke  cleared  away,  no 
vestige  was  seen  of  the  boat,  which,  but  a  moment  before, 
had  been  freighted  with  so  many  brave  men.  Officers  and 
men  had  found  a  common  grave  with  their  beloved  vessel. 
Their  fate  was  involved  with  that  of  their  noble  ship. 

"  It  is  plain  that  the  explosion  of  the  after-magazine  was 
premature,  and  not  apprehended  by  any  of  those  who  were 
lost.  The  scene  on  board  the  transports  was  sad  in  the 
extreme.  The  sailors  from  the  ill-starred  gunboat  la- 
mented the  loss  of  their  officers  and  comrades,  exclaiming, 
*  Poor  Zimmerman,  poor  Zimmerman  !  —  and  the  captain 
too  ! '  One  old  boatswain's  mc.te,  who  had  grown  gray  in 
the  service  of  his  country,  while  the  tears  coursed  down  his 
cheeks,  cried  out,  '  I  had  rather  have  spilt  my  blood  and 
left  my  bones  on  board  the  "  Westfield  "  with  the  old  man, 
than  got  off  in  this  way.'  The  '  Westfield'  blew  up  at  thir- 
teen minutes  of  nine,  A.M.  ;  a  sorrowful  finale  to  the  tragic 
performances  with  which  the  rebels  ushered  in  the  new 
year." 

VICTORY  IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  —  To  offset  this  account 
of  a  Union  defeat,  a  graphic  description  of  the  Union  vic- 
tory at  Port  Royal,  S.C.,  is  here  given,  from  the  pen  of  one 
who  was  on  board  the  United-States  steamer  "  Pocahontas" 
at  the  time  of  the  engagement :  — 

"PORT  ROYAL,  S.C.,  Nov.  9, 1861. 
"  To  the  Editor  of  the  '  Boston  Journal,'  — 

"  Our  expedition  left  Old  Point  on  the  morning  of  the 
29th  ult,,  —  a  beautiful  morning  ;  and,  though  we  had  quite 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  133 

a  severe  gale  on  the  30th,  the  fleet  kept  together  until  the 
1st  inst.,  when  we  experienced  a  very  severe  gale,  which 
scattered  the  fleet,  or  at  least  scattered  us  from  the  fleet ; 
and  we  saw  no  more  of  our  companions,  with  the  exception 
of  one  or  two  transports,  till  the  morning  of  the  7th.  At 
daylight,  off  Savannah,  we  chased  away  a  secession  steamer 
which  seemed  to  have  a  fell  design  upon  the  schooner 
'Western  Star'  of  Boston,  which  we  took  in  tow,  and 
coaled  ship  from  her,  till,  as  we  neared  Port-Royal  entrance, 
we  heard  the  boom  of  heavy  ordnance,  and  soon  saw  the 
white  smoke  as  it  curled  up  in  the  still  morning  air.  It  is 
needless  to  say  that  the  schooner  was  dropped.  We  put  on 
all  steam,  not  even  hoisting  our  boats,  and  were  soon  up  to 
the  entrance,  which  we  found  buoyed  temporarily  on  each 
side  the  channel :  so  we  stood  directly  in. 

"  We  could  distinguish  the  '  Wabash,'  our  flag-ship,  pour- 
ing in  a  most  deadly  fire,  also  the  '  Susquehanna,' '  Mohican,' 
and  several  other  gunboats. 

"  The  forts  were  firing  rapidly  from  both  sides  ;  but  the 
ships  did  not  appear  to  be  much  injured,  none  of  them  hav- 
ing lost  their  masts.  We  passed  the  transports  lying  at 
anchor,  well  clear  of  the  contest,  outside  ;  and,  as  we  dashed 
by  at  full  speed,  we  received  the  cheers  of  thousands 
eager  for  the  fray,  but  unable  to  participate. 

"  Forward  we  went,  our  men  at  quarters  all  eager  to  get 
their  first  pop  at  South  Carolina ;  and,  as  soon  as  our  long 
ten-inch  pivot-gun  could  be  brought  to  bear,  we  sent  our 
first  compliment  to  Fort  Walker.  They  held  their  fire  on 
both  sides  till  we  got  midway  between  both  forts  ;  and  then 


134       FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

for  ten  or  fifteen  minutes  they  rained  grape,  rifle-shot,  and 
hollow  shot  upon  us  in  a  manner  very  romantic  indeed,  but 
more  agreeable  to  think  about  afterward  than  when  one  is 
under  it.  We  had  no  white  feathers  on  board,  though,  to 
show ;  and  our  captain  is  brave  as  a  lion  and  full  of  spirit 
when  under  fire.  Capt.  Drayton  is  a  South-Carolinian,  as 
true  as  steel ;  and  we  pelted  away  at  them  from  both  sides 
in  a  most  gratifying  manner  to  ourselves  at  least.  After 
the  capture  of  the  forts,  we  found  that  Gen.  Drayton,  in 
command  of  this  district,  was  our  captain's  own  brother, 
and  that  he  had,  besides,  two  other  relatives  engaged  in  the 
secession  cause  at  this  place.  Such  patriotism  as  this  is 
soul-cheering  in  these  times,  and  a  stinging  reproach  to  a 
Northern  peace  man.  Our  ship  received  three  shots  aloft, 
one  of  which  ruined  the  mainmast ;  but  they  first  rained 
shot  over  our  heads  as  we  ran  the  gantlet  of  the  forts. 

"  Once  inside,  we  hauled  in  under  Fort  TFalker,  out  of 
near  range  of  the  guns  on  Bay  Point,  leaving  us  but  one 
side  to  fight ;  and  in  about  half  an  hour,  during  which  time 
a  perfect  storm  of  shell  was  thrown  into  every  part  of  the 
fort,  they  left  their  guns,  and  ran  quicker  than  our  tired  men 
did  at  Bull  Run.  They  can  run  some,  even  in  a  South- 
Carolina  morass  ;  but  they  looked  very  ridiculous,  and  as  if 
they  had  no  stomach  for  a  Yankee  hunt,  in  which  they  are 
said  to  delight  so  much.  A  naval  officer  from  the  'TVabash.' 
landed  with  a  flag  of  truce ;  and  the  sailors  scrambled  to  a 
house-top,  and  flung  the  glorious  old  flag  to  the  breeze. 
Cheer  on  cheer  went  up  from  the  thousands  on  ship-board  ; 
and  a  portion  of  South  Carolina  was  again  redeemed  from 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  135 

its  disgrace  by  being  covered  by  an  honorable  flag  and  an      * 
honorable  people." 

The  brilliant  descriptions  which  "  Carleton  "  gives  of  the 
Union  attack  on  Sumter  in  1863,  and  of  the  capture  of 
Beaufort,  S.C.,  cannot  be  omitted ;  for  they  display  the 
seamanship  and  valor  of  our  brave  navy  boys  in  a  style  to 
awaken  hearty  praise.  The  following  is  the  description 
of  the  taking  of  Beaufort :  — 

"  At  five  minutes  before  ten  o'clock,  the  Hilton-Head  bat- 
tery opened  fire  on  the  '  Wabash  : '  in  three  minutes  after, 
another  shot  from  the  battery.  Still  the  ships  stood  on,  and 
did  not,  apparently,  notice  the  efforts  of  the  rebels,  until  the 
'  Wabash '  came  in  good  range  with  the  face  of  the  battery  ; 
when  she  fired  a  shell  at  them,  which  struck  close  to  the 
battery.  In  a  few  minutes,  the  '  Wabash '  opened  a  smart 
fire,  throwing  her  shells  into  the  woods,  where  the  rebels 
were  encamped  in  some  force.  After  firing  a  few  guns  to 
ascertain  the  range,  she  opened  a  broadside  fire  on  both 
batteries,  which  was  one  of  the  finest  sights  ever  witnessed 
in  this  country.  How  the  troops  did  cheer  !  It  was  hearty 
and  long.  The  other  vessels  now  opened  their  fire,  and  the 
shells  fell  thick  and  fast  into  the  battery. 

"  The  rebel  steamers  now  opened  a  smart  fire,  and  it  was 
the  subject  of  general  remark,  —  the  fine  shots  they  made. 
The  small  gunboats  now  steamed  rapidly  ahead,  and  opened 
on  them  with  their  ten  and  eleven  inch  pivot-guns.  At  fif- 
teen minutes  past  ten  o'clock,  the  fire  was  so  hot,  that  they  up 
helm,  and  started  for  Broad  River ;  the  gunboats  chasing 


136      FIELD,  GDNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

them.  By  this  time,  the  shells  were  bursting  in  the  Bay- 
Point  battery  at  the  rate  of  about  two  a  minute,  to  which 
the  rebels  replied  with  rapidity  and  great  execution. 

"  The  flag-ship  and  her  division  were  rapidly  drawing  up 
to  the  point  around  which  they  were  to  turn,  so  that  they 
could  come  down  along  the  shore,  and  engage  the  Hilton- 
Head  battery  ;  while  the  small  gunboats  took  up  independent 
positions,  and  battered  away  at  Bay  Point  and  the  rebel 
naval  vessels.  As  the  '  "Wabash '  turned,  so  that  her  broad- 
side could  bear  upon  the  rebel  fleet,  she  opened  upon  them, 
and  soon  sent  them  up  the  river  for  a  time  at  least.  About 
this  time,  the  '  Vandalia'  caiue  up  in  range  ;  and  she  deliv- 
ered a  splendid  broadside  to  the  Bay-Point  rebels,  several 
of  her  shells  making  the  sand  fly  inside  of  the  works.  She 
kept  up  a  galling  fire  upon  them  until  out  of  reach,  when 
she  devoted  her  attention  to  the  rebel  navy.  During  this 
time,  the  'Wabash,'  * Susquehanna,'  and  'Bienville'  had 
come  around,  and  were  close  upon  the  Hilton-Head  battery. 
All  eyes  were  upon  these  vessels,  especially  as  we  saw 
plainly  that  they  were  steering  so  as  to  come  within  six 
hundred  yards  of  the  rebels'  guns,  some  of  which  we  knew 
were  excellent  rifled  pieces  of  the  most  approved  patterns. 

"At  about  twenty  minutes  before  eleven  o'clock,  the 
'"Wabash'  commenced  operations  on  the  Hilton-Head  bat- 
tery in  good  earnest,  delivering  a  broadside  at  one  command. 
All  her  gun-deck  armament  is  nine-inch  shell  guns  ;  while  on 
her  spar-deck  they  are  eight-inch  shell  guns,  with  a  ten-inch 
pivot  aft,  and  a  sixty-eight  rifled  Dahlgren  gun  on  the  fore- 
castle. The  noise  was  terrific,  while  the  bursting  of  the 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  137 

shells  was  as  terrible  as  it  was  destructive.  I  counted  no 
less  than  forty  shells  bursting  at  one  time,  and  that  right 
in  the  battery  and  in  the  woods,  where  about  eight  hundred 
rebels  lay.  In  addition  to  this,  the  '  Susquehanna,'  with 
her  tremendous  battery,  aided  by  the  '  Bienville,'  the  '  Paw- 
nee,' and  half  a  dozen  smaller  gunboats,  was  making  the 
air  brown  with  the  sand,  while  the  blue  smoke  of  the  explo- 
sions went  to  make  up  a  most  magnificent  sight. 

"The  troops  were  wild  with  enthusiasm  ;  and  with  deaf- 
ening cheers  they  applauded  the  boldness  and  courage  of  the 
gallant  naval  officer.  A  moment  or  two  elapsed, — just  time 
enough  to  load  the  guns,  —  and  again  the  scene  was  enacted 
afresh.  The  rebels  replied  with  seven  guns,  which  were 
worked  splendidly  ;  and  from  appearances  they  did  consider- 
able execution.  After  the  second  broadside,  the  firing  be- 
came less  concerted ;  and  it  seemed  as  if  each  division  on 
all  the  vessels  were  endeavoring  to  outvie  each  other  in  the 
rapidity  with  which  they  worked  their  guns. 

"  The  tide  drifted  the  vessels  quite  fast  by  the  battery ; 
but  they  backed  them  considerably,  so  as  to  remain  as  long 
as  possible  :  and  at  eleven  o'clock  they  had  reached  as  near 
to  the  reef  as  it  was  safe  to  go ;  and  they  were  obliged  to 
haul  off  to  again  take  up  their  position,  but  giving  them  an- 
other broadside  as  they  turned.  To  do  this,  a  track,  circu- 
lar in  form,  and  extending  nearly  five  miles,  must  be  sailed 
over.  The  Bay-Point  battery  must  again  be  passed,  where 
there  were  several  fine  rifled  cannon,  which  were  well 
served  ;  and  the  navy  of  the  Confederates  must  receive  their 
due  share  of  the  shells  which  were  destined  to  be  expended 


138      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

on  the  day's  work.  To  this  duty  they  undauntedly  steamed 
up,  while  the  little  gunboats  fought  the  steamers. 

"  About  this  time,  the  firing  on  both  sides  materially  di- 
minished. Occasionally  the  rebels  fired  from  either  battery, 
which  was  replied  to  by  the  gunboats.  As  the  '  "Wabash ' 
and  her  consorts  rounded  to,  to  come  down  again  and  pitch 
into  the  battery  where  they  had  made  such  a  beautiful  dis- 
play of  their  skill,  the  troops  again  gave  vent  to  their  feel- 
ings in  tones  not  to  be  mistaken.  It  appeared  that  with 
such  a  terrible  fire  poured  in  upon  them  they  could  not 
stand,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  hours  the  stars  and  stripes 
must  wave  on  the  '  sacred  soil '  of  South  Carolina. 

"  At  half-past  eleven,  they  drew  near  to  the  Hilton-Head 
battery  again  ;  the  rebels  keeping  up  a  brisk  fire  upon  them 
as  they  approached.  Occasionally  the  pivot-guns  of  the 
'Wabash'  and  the  'Susquehanna'  threw  a  shell  into  the 
battery  ;  but  the  grand  affair  was  yet  to  come.  At  ten  min- 
utes before  twelve  o'clock,  again  the  ships  were  enveloped  in 
a  dense  cloud  of  white  smoke  ;  and,  in  a  few  seconds  after, 
the  shells  were  bursting  into  the  battery  in  a  splendid  man- 
ner. The  sand  was  flying  in  every  direction  ;  and  it  seemed 
impossible  that  any  one  could  be  saved  from  death  who  was 
within  the  walls  of  the  battery.  The  rebels  now  worked 
only  two  guns  ;  but  I  will  give  them  the  credit  of  working 
them  beautifully.  This  style  of  fighting  lasted  just  twenty 
minutes  ;  and  in  that  time  over  two  hundred  shells  had  burst 
over  their  heads  and  in  the  works.  At  ten  minutes  past 
twelve,  again  the  ships  hauled  off,  firing  a  parting  round  as 
they  left. 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  139 

"At  twenty  minutes  past  twelve,  the  Bay-Point  battery 
opened  fire  on  the  '  Wabash '  as  she  passed  up  to  take  her 
position.  Five  minutes  afterwards,  the  gunboats  opened  a 
terrible  volley  of  shells  on  Hilton  Head,  breaching  it  in  sev- 
eral places,  and  dismounting  one  of  the  guns.  This  display 
of  gunnery  was  a  grand  sight,  and  was  only  second  to  the 
broadside  firing  of  the  other  ships.  The  gunboats  kept  up 
this  kind  of  work  several  minutes,  when  they  eased  down, 
and  fired  at  intervals,  so  that  there  was  a  shell  striking 
about  once  a  minute. 

"At  ten  minutes  of  one,  not  a  rebel  boat  was  to  be  seen  ; 
and  from  appearances  they  had  gone  behind  the  Point  to 
take  on  board  the  troops,  who  could  not  stand  another  round 
of  broadside-firing.  The  battery  was  badly  damaged,  and 
the  houses  and  tents  bore  the  marks  of  shells  ;  and  it  looked 
as  if  there  was  a  stampede  in  the  rebel  camp.  At  five  min- 
utes of  two  o'clock,  the  'Wabash'  and  her  consorts  were  in 
position  to  advance  ;  but  they  remained  quiet,  and  let  the 
gunboats  pepper  away  at  the  battery,  which  only  replied  with 
one  gun,  which  looked  as  if  they  were  only  firing  to  deceive 
us  while  they  embarked  their  forces.  At  two  o'clock  we 
weighed  anchor,  and  got  still  closer  in,  feeling  assured  that 
they  had  become  pretty  well  used  up,  and  would  not  or 
could  not  injure  us. 

"  The  transports  now  launched  their  surf-boats,  nearly 
one  hundred  in  number,  and  placed  the  crews  in  them,  all 
ready  to  commence  disembarking  the  troops. 

"  At  twenty  minutes  of  three  o'clock,  a  boat  —  the  whale- 
Hoat  of  the  '  Wabash '  —  was  manned,  and  with  a  white  flag 


140      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

flying  over  the  bow,  and  Commander  John  Rodgers  in  the 
stern,  started  for  the  shore.  I  can  assure  you  that  every 
stroke  of  the  oars  was  watched  by  thousands  of  anxious 
people.  She  strikes  the  beach.  Capt.  Rodgers,  borne  on 
the  backs  of  true  and  trusty  tars,  with  the  stars  and  stripes 
floating  over  his  head,  and  a  large  ensign,  goes  on  shore  ;  and, 
at  three  o'clock  precisely,  the  stars  and  stripes  wave  in  tri- 
umph over  South-Carolina  soil  and  a  deserted  rebel  battery. 
A  glorious  and  brilliant  naval  victory  has  been  won.  All 
honor  to  the  gallant  seamen  of  the  United-States  Xavy  ! 

"  As  soon  as  the  good  old  flag  was  seen  from  on  shipboard, 
our  boys  gave  nine  rousing  cheers,  and  they  were  taken  up 
from  ship  to  ship ;  and  the  baud  saluted  the  flag  with  the 
*  Star-spangled  Banner '  and  '  Hail  Columbia,'  &c.  For 
an  hour,  the  cheers  of  the  patriotic  soldiers  made  the  air  re- 
sound. Again  we  got  under  way,  and  proceeded  to  within 
a  half-mile  of  the  shore,  and  anchored  ;  and  the  debarkation 
was  commenced,  and  until  long  after  dark  the  work  went  on." 
The  following  is  a  description  of  the  attack  on  Sumter  :  — 
"At  half-past  one,  P.M.,  the  signal  for  sailing  was  dis- 
played from  the  flag-ship.  The  '  Weehawken,'  with  a  raft  at 
her  prow,  immediately  got  under  way,  and  moved  rapidly 
up  the  main  channel,  followed  by  the  others,  which  main- 
tained their  respective  positions,  distant  from  each  other 
about  one-third  or  half  of  a  mile.  There  are  no  clouds  of  can- 
vas, no  beautiful  models  of  marine  architecture,  none  of  the 
stateliness  and  majesty  which  has  marked  hundreds  of  great 
naval  engagements.  There  is  but  little  to  the  sight  calcu- 
lated to  excite  enthusiasm.  There  are  eight  black  specks 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  141 

and  one  oblong  block  gliding  along  the  water,  like  so  many 
bugs.  There  are  no  human  beings  in  sight,  no  propelling 
power  visible. 

"  Sumter  has  discovered  them,  and  discharges  in  quick  suc- 
cession nine  signal-guns  to  announce  to  all  Rebeldom  that 
the  attack  is  to  be  made.  Morris  Island  is  mysteriously 
silent  as  the  'Weehawken'  advances,  although  she  is  within 
range.  Past  Fort  Wagner,  straight  on  toward  Moultrie,  the 
'Weehawken' moves.  The  silence  is  prolonged.  It  is  almost 
painful,  the  calm  before  the  storm,  the  hushed  stillness 
before  the  burst  of  the  tornado. 

"  There  comes  a  single  puff  of  smoke  from  Moultrie,  one 
deep  reverberation.  The  silence  is  broken  :  the  moments, 
the  long  months  of  waiting,  are  over.  The  shot  flies  across 
the  water,  skipping  from  wave  to  wave,  tossing  up  foun- 
tains, hopping  over  the  deck  of  the  '  Weehawken,'  and  rolling 
along  the  surface  with  a  diminishing  ricochet,  sinking  at 
last  close  upon  the  Morris -Island  Beach.  Fort  Wagner 
continues  the  story,  sending  a  shot  at  the  '  Weehawken  : ' 
it  also  trips  lightly  over  the  deck,  and  tosses  up  a  water- 
spout far  toward  Moultrie.  The  '  Weehawken,'  unmindful 
of  this  play,  opened  its  ports,  and  sent  a  fifteen-inch  solid 
shot  toward  Sumter,  which,  like  those  which  have  been  hurled 
toward  her,  takes  a  half-dozen  steps,  making  for  a  moment 
its  footprints  on  the  water,  and  crashes  against  the  south-west 
face  of  the  fort,  followed  a  moment  later  by  its  eleven-inch 
companion.  The  vessel  is  for  a  moment  enveloped  in  the 
smoke  of  its  guns.  Bravely  done !  There  comes  an  an- 
swer. Moultrie,  the  tremendous  batteries  on  either  side  by 


142         FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

the  hotel  and  east  of  it,  and  toward  the  inner  harbor,  burst 
in  an  instant  into  sheets  of  flame,  and  clouds  of  sulphurous 
smoke.  There  is  one  long  roll  of  thunder,  peal  on  peal ; 
deep,  heavy  reverberations  and  sharp  concussions  rattling  the 
windows  of  our  steamers,  and  striking  us  at  the  heart  like 
hammer-strokes. 

"  The  ocean  boils.  Columns  of  spray  are  tossed  high  in 
air,  as  if  a  hundred  submarine  fountains  were  let  instant- 
ly on,  or  a  school  of  whales  were  trying  which  could  spout 
highest.  There  is  a  screaming  in  the  air,  a  buzzing  and 
humming  never  before  so  loud. 

"  At  five  minutes  before  three,  Moultrie  began  the  fire. 
Ten  minutes  have  passed.  The  thunder  has  rolled  inces- 
santly from  Sullivan's  Island.  Thus  far,  Sumter  has  been 
silent ;  but  now  it  is  crowned  with  a  cloud.  In  an  instant  it 
is  hid  from  view ;  first  a  line  of  light  along  its  parapet,  and 
thick  folds  of  smoke  unrolling  like  fleeces  of  wool.  Other 
flashes  burst  from  the  casemates  ;  and  the  clouds  creep  down 
the  wall  to  the  water,  then  slowly  float  away  to  mingle  with 
that  rising  from  the  furnaces  in  the  sand  along  the  shore  of 
Sullivan's  Island. 

"  You  almost  think  the  earth's  crust  has  ruptured,  and 
the  volcanic  fires,  long  pent,  have  suddenly  found  vent. 

"  It  was  the  first  grand  round.  Then  comes  a  calm,  a  mo- 
mentary cessation.  The  rebel  gunners  wait  for  the  breeze 
to  clear  away  the  cloud,  that  they  may  obtain  a  view  of  the 
monitor  to  see  if  it  has  not  been  punched  into  a  sieve,  and 
is  disappearing  beneath  the  waves.  But  the  '  Weehawken '  is 
there  moving  straight  on  up  the  channel,  turned  now  toward 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  143 

Houltrie.  Nothing  has  happened.  To  her  it  has  been  only 
i  handful  of  peas  or  gravel-stones  or  pebbles.  Some 
lave  rattled  against  her  turret,  some  upon  her  deck,  some 
igainst  her  sides.  Instead  of  going  to  the  bottom,  she  re- 
'olves  her  turret,  and  speaks  two  words  to  Moultrie,  moving 
>n  the  while  to  gain  the  south-eastern  wall  of  Sumter. 

"  Again  the  forts  and  batteries  begin,  joined  now  by  Cum- 
nings  Point  and  long  ranges  from  Fort  Johnson.  All 
iround  the  '  Weebawken'  the  shot  flash,  plunge,  hop,  skip, 
ailing  like  the  rain-drops  of  a  summer  shower.  How  quickly 
he  '  Wabash,'  the  'Minnesota,'  or  any  one  of  the  wooden  ships 
f  the  navy,  would  be  bored  through  and  through  from  port 
o  port,  from  bow  to  stern,  from  deck  to  keel,  by  the  point- 
lank  and  plunging  shot,  converging  from  more  than  ninety 
egrees  of  the  circle, — be  made  into  kindlings,  sent  sky-high 
y  a  shell  in  boiler  or  magazine,  or  to  the  bottom  of  the 
hannel,  by  the  opening  of  barn-doors  in  the  hull !  Un- 
armed, undaunted,  she  moves  straight  on,  feeling  her  way, 
loving  slowly,  with  grappling-irons  dragging  from  the  raft 
a  front  to  catch  up  torpedoes.  It  is  for  the  '  Weehawken '  to 
lear  the  channel,  and  make  smooth  sailing  for  the  re- 
lainder  of  the  fleet.  Two  torpedoes  explode,  —  so  much 
wasted  powder,  nothing  more  !  • 

"To  get  the  position  of  the  '  "Weehawken '  at  this  moment, 
pread  out  your  map  of  Charleston  Harbor,  draw  a  line  from 
Jummings  Point  to  Moultrie,  and  stick  a  pin  on  the  line  a 
Itle  nearer  Moultrie  than  to  Morris  Island.  It  is  about 
ne-half  a  mile  from  Moultrie,  about  one-third  of  a  mile 
:om  Sumter. 


144       FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

"There  she  is,  — the  target  of  probably  two  hundred  and 
fifty  or  three  hundred  guns  at  close  range,  of  the  heaviest 
caliber,  rifled  cannon  throwing  forged  bolts  and  steel-pointed 
shot,  turned  and  polished  to  a  hair  in  the  lathes  of  English 
workshops,  —  advancing  still,  undergoing  her  first  ordeal,  a 
trial  unparalleled  in  history  ! 

"  For  fifteen  minutes,  she  meets  the  ordeal  alone  :  but,  the 
channel  found  to  be  clear,  the  '  Passaic,'  the  '  Montauk,'  and 
'  Patapsco '  follow,  closing  up  the  line  ;  each  coming  in  range, 
and  delivering  their  fire  upon  Sumter.  At  twenty  minutes 
past  three,  the  four  monitors  composing  the  right  wing  of 
the  fleet  are  all  engaged,  each  pressing  on  to  reach  the  north- 
eastern face  of  the  fort,  where  the  wall  is  weakest ;  each  re- 
ceiving, as  they  arrive  at  particular  points,  a  terrible  fire, 
seemingly  from  all  points  of  the  compass,  —  points  selected 
by  trial  and  practice  indicated  by  buoys.  They  pass  the 
destructive  latitudes  unharmed.  Seventy  guns  a  minute  are 
counted,  followed  by  moments  of  calm  and  scattering  shots, 
but  only  to  break  out  again  in  a  prolonged  roar  of  thunder. 
They  press  on,  making  nearer  and  nearer  to  Sumter,  nar- 
rowing the  distance  to  one  thousand  yards,  eight  hundred, 
six,  five,  four  hundred  yards,  and  send  their  fifteen-inch 
shot  crashing  against  the  fort  with  slow,  sure,  deliberate, 
effective  fire. 

"At  first  the  fort  and  the  batteries  and  Mouitrie  seem  to 
redouble  their  efforts  in  increasing  the  fire  ;  but  after  an  hour 
there  is  a  perceptible  diminution  of  the  discharges  from  the 
fort.  After  each  shot  from  the  iron-clads,  clouds  of  dust  can 
be  discerned  rising  above  the  fort,  and  mingling  with  the 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  145 

jmoke.  Steadying  ray  glass  in  the  lulls  of  the  strife,  watch- 
ing where  the  south-west  breeze  whiffs  away  the  smoke,  I 
;au  see  increasing  pock-marks  and  discolorations  upon  the 
ivalls,  as  if  there  had  been  a  sudden  breaking-out  of  cuta- 
jeous  disease. 

"The  flag-ship,  drawing  seventeen  feet  of  water,  was 
)bliged  to  move  cautiously,  feeling  her  way  up  the  channel. 
Fust  as  she  came  within  range  of  Moultrie,  her  keel  touched, 
jottom  on  the  east  side  of  the  channel.  Fearing  that  she 
arould  run  aground,  the  anchor  was  let  go.  Finding  the  ves- 
sel was  clear,  the  admiral  again  moved  on,  signalling  the 
eft  wing  to  press  forward  to  the  aid  of  the  four  already  en- 
raged. The  '  Ironsides '  kept  the  main  channel,  which  brought 
ler  within  about  one  thousand  yards  of  Moultrie  and  Sum- 
er.  She  fired  four  guns  at  Moultrie,  and  received  in  return 
i  heavy  fire.  Again  she  touched  bottom,  and  then  turned 
ler  bow  across  the  channel  toward  Sumter,  firing  two  guns 
it  Cummings  Point.  After  this  weak  and  ineffectual  effort, 
,he  tide  rapidly  ebbing  the  while,  she  again  got  clear,  but 
*ave  up  the  attempt  to  advance.  The '  Catskill,' '  Nantucket,' 
Nahant,'  and  '  Keokuk '  pressed  up  with  all  possible  speed  to 
lid  the  four,  which  were  receiving  a  tremendous  hammering. 

"  See  them  sweep  past  the  convergent  points  and  radial 
lines !  See  the  bubbling  of  the  water,  the  straight  col- 
umns thrown  up  in  the  sunlight,  the  flashes,  the  furrows 
ilong  the  waves,  as  if  a  plough,  driven  with  lightning  speed, 
was  turning  up  the  water !  They  are  all  close  up  to  Sum- 
ter, within  four  or  five  hundred  yards.  Behind  them  is 
Moultrie  and  Fort  Ripley  and  Fort  Beauregard,  flashing, 
10 


146      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

smoking,  bellowing ;  in  front  is  Sumter ;  and  in  the  back- 
ground, Fort  Wagner  and  Cummings  Point.  Across  the 
shallow  waters  is  Fort  Johnson ;  still  farther  off  to  the 
right  is  Castle  Pickney,  too  far  away  to  do  damage,  but,  as 
you  have  seen  curs  at  a  grand  fight  of  bull-dogs,  harmlessly 
snarling,  growling,  and  yelping,  and  making  believe  they 
are  doing  something.  From  all  sides,  the  balls  fall  around 
the  fleet.  The  din  of  uproar  is  nearly  all  on  one  side. 
Calmly  and  deliberately  the  fire  is  returned,  — a  deliberation 
which  must  command  the  admiration  of  the  enemy. 

"  The  '  Keokuk '  presents  a  fair  mark  with  her  sloping  sides 
and  double  turrets.  She  comes  to  the  ordeal  bravely.  Her 
commander,  Capt.  Rhind,  although  not  having  entire  con- 
fidence in  her  invulnerability,  is  determined  to  come  to  close 
quarters.  She  is  not  to  be  outdone  by  those  who  are  in 
advance.  Swifter  than  they,  drawing  less  water,  she  makes 
all  haste  to  get  up  with  the  '  Weehawken.'  The  guns  which 
have  been  trained  upon  the  others  are  brought  to  bear  upon 
her.  Where  she  sails,  there  the  shower  is  hardest,  the  fire 
fiercest.  Her  plating  is  but  pine-wood  to  the  steel  projec- 
tiles, flying  with  almost  the  swiftness  of  a  Minie  bullet. 
Shot  which  glance  harmlessly  from  the  others  penetrate  her 
angled  sides.  Her  after-turret  is  pierced  in  a  twinkling,  and 
a  two-hundred-pound  projectile  dropped  inside.  A  heavy  shot 
crashes  into  the  surgeon's  dispensary,  and  mixes  emetics, 
cathartics,  pill,  and  powders,  not  according  to  prescriptions. 
The  enemy  notices  the  effect  of  his  shot,  and  increases  his 
fire.  Capt.  Rhind  is  not  easily  daunted.  He  opens  his  for- 
ward turret,  and  gives  three  shot  in  return  for  the  three  or 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  147 

four  hundred  rained  around  him.  The  sea  with  every  pass- 
ing wave  sweeps  through  the  shot-holes  ;  and  he  must  retire, 
or  go  to  the  bottom  with  all  on  board. 

"  Meanwhile  the  signal  has  been  displayed  from  the  flag- 
ship for  the  retirement  of  the  fleet.  It  comes '  seemingly  at 
an  inopportune  moment ;  for  the  fire  of  the  fort  is  evidently 
on  the  wane.  Moultrie  and  all  the  guns  of  Sullivan  Island 
are  still  bellowing  ;  but  Sumter  has  few  flashes,  a  cloud  of 
smoke  less  dense  than  an  hour  ago.  Capt.  Ammen  is  con- 
fident that  he  has  sent  a  shot  clear  through  the  wall ;  that  a 
gun  is  silenced.  There  is  but  little  diminution  of  the  fire 
of  the  fleet.  It  is,  as  it  has  been,  slow  and  steady ;  but 
the  '  Keokuk '  is  moving  out  of  range  :  the  '  Ironsides '  has  not 
been  in.  It  is  past  five  o'clock, — almost  sunset.  Never  in 
the  history  of  the  world  has  there  been  such  a  two  and  a 
half  hours'  hammering  of  iron.  There  is  the  imperative 
order  flying  above  the  flag-ship  '  Retire.'  They  obey.  It  is 
twenty  minutes  past  five  o'clock  when  the  last  guns  are  fired, 
—  an  exchange  of  shots  with  Cummings  Point. 

"  The  uproar  has  ceased.  The  fleet  is  at  anchor.  The 
monitors  of  the  right  swing  within  range  of  Fort  Wagner. 
On  Sullivan's  Island,  the  sulphurous  clouds  still  linger.  The 
red  sun  sinks  behind  the  sand-hills,  and  we  who  have  watched 
every  changing  feature  of  the  attack  welcome  the  coming- 
on  of  silence." 

Some  of  the  gallant  exploits  of  our  navy  have  not  been 
mentioned  ;  but  again  it  must  be  said,  "  The  half  has  not  been 
told."  Our  brave  tars  have  "  covered  themselves  with 
honor  "  on  every  sea  where  they  fought. 


148      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PPISON. 

It  may  be  well  to  add  a  few  words  in  regard  to  some  of 
the  leaders  in  our  navy.  The  following  has  been  published 
concerning  two  of  them.  The  anecdotes  are  characteristic, 
and  probably  correct. 

Admiral  Farragut  is  a  native  of  Tennessee.  The  "  Louis- 
ville Journal "  gives  the  following  notice  of  his  career  :  — 

"  In  childhood  he  was  adopted  by  the  late  Commodore 
David  Porter,  receiving  his  baptismal  name  ;  and  is  thus  the 
brother  adoptive  of  Capt.  J.  D.  Porter,  of  the  'Essex,'  in  our 
flotilla,  and  of  Lieut.  Porter,  in  command  of  the  mortar- 
fleet  at  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi.  Though  only  twelve 
years  of  age,  he  was  on  the  '  Essex,'  at  Valparaiso,  in  1814, 
in  that  most  gallant  naval  fight,  and  was  specially  com- 
mended to  the  department  for  his  brave  deportment.  An 
anecdote  told  of  him,  though  trifling,  indicates  character. 
After  the  surrender,  a  pig  which  he  claimed  was  carried  off" 
by  a  midshipman  of  the  British  frigate  '  Phebe.'  Young 
Farragut  appealed  to  the  British  captain  for  restitution,  and 
received  for  reply,  that  he  could  do  nothing  about  it,  but  that 
he  might  go  and  whip  the  middy.  '  Is  that  all  ? '  said  the 
lad ;  and,  acting  on  the  leave  given,  instantly  whipped  the 
aggressor,  and  carried  off  his  pig. 

"  He  has  been  almost  constantly  in  active  service.  Dur- 
ing the  years  1821-4,  he  was  employed  in  cruising  after 
pirates  in  the  Caribbean  Sea,  and  distinguished  himself  by 
most  efficient  service  and  gallantry.  He  was  for  some  time 
in  command  of  the  '  Brooklyn '  at  the  Vera-Cruz  station, 
at  the  time  of  the  mission  of  Mr.  McLean  to  Mexico.  He 
was  twice  married  in  Norfolk,  Va.,  and  is  the  owner  of  a 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  149 

large  property  in  that  rebel  city ;  but  before  the  outbreak, 
and  to  avoid  entanglements,  he  removed  his  family  from 
Norfolk  to  a  cottage  on  the  Hudson,  whence  he  was  called 
to  active  duty  in  putting  down  the  Rebellion.  He  is  a  most 
accomplished  officer,  versed  in  every  point  of  his  profession, 
and  most  energetic  in  all  naval  duties.  He  speaks  with 
fluency  five  or  six  modern  languages  ;  and,  sailor  as  he  is,  is 
a  gentleman  of  fine  scholarly  taste  and  acquirements.* 

"  Commander  Charles  S.  Boggs,  of  the  United-States  gun- 
boat '  Varuna,'  which  was  sunk  in  the  recent  engagement 
with  the  enemy  at  New  Orleans,  where  he  attacked  thirteen 
gunboats  of  the  rebels,  and  sunk  six  of  them,  and  his  last 
shot,  fired  when  his  deck  was  under  water,  sunk  a  gunboat 
of  the  rebels,  is  a  native  of  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.  When 
a  lad,  he  told  his  father  he  wished  to  go  into  the  navy. 
His  father  said  to  him,  '  You  are  too  clumsy :  you  would 
fall  into  the  water  from  the  deck.'  The  next  morning  his 
father  saw  him  on  the  roof  of  the  house :  he  had  climbed 

*  "  Vice- Admiral  Farragut  has  his  headquarters  at  the  Navy  Yard  in 
Brooklyn.  He  is  chiefly  now  employed  on  court-martials,  of  which  he  is 
President.  He  suffers  greatly  from  an  affection  of  the  eyes,  resulting  from 
a  sunstroke  received  on  the  coast  of  Africa  when  he  was  quite  young.  His 
immense  correspondence  has  to  be  carried  on  by  other  hands,  he  being  un- 
able to  write.  The  glare  of  public  audience-rooms  is  very  painful  to  him. 
He  is  bored  almost  to  death  by  applications  for  his  presence  at  public  meet- 
ings where  a  crowd  is  needed.  Although  both  travel  and  gaslight  are  ex- 
ceedingly distressing  to  him,  yet  such  is  his  kindness  of  heart,  that  he  rarely 
refuses  an  invitation  to  a  meeting  that  has  a  beneficent  aim.  He  left  the 
city  to-day  for  Philadelphia  to  meet  Gen.  Grant,  and  with  him  inaugurate 
an  institution  for  the  benefit  of  disabled  soldiers  and  sailors."  —  Boston- 
Journal  correspondent. 


150      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

the  lightning-rod,  going  up  hand  over  hand.  His  mother 
was  a  sister  of  the  gallant  LaAvrence,  of  the  '  Chesapeake.' 

"  It  will  be  observed  that  both  of  these  officers  have  had 
ancestors  which  might  account  for  their  fighting  qualities  ; 
one  being  a  member  of  the  family  of  the  elder  Porter,  and 
the  other  a  relative  of  the  heroic  Lawrence." 

Admiral  Foote  was  another  hero  :  he  has  gone  up  higher. 
The  following  is  the  official  order  concerning  the  late 
Admiral  Foote :  — 

WASHINGTON,  June  27, 1863. 
General  Orders,  No.  19. 

A  gallant  and  distinguished  naval  officer  is  lost  to  the 
country.  The  hero  of  Fort  Henry  and  Fort  Donelson  ;  the 
daring  and  indomitable  spirit  that  created  and  led  to  suc- 
cessive victories  the  Mississippi  flotilla  ;  the  heroic  Christian 
sailor,  who,  in  the  China  seas  and  on  the  coast  of  Africa, 
as  well  as  the  great  interior  rivers  of  our  country,  sustained 
with  unfaltering  fidelity  and  devotion  the  honor  of  our  flag 
and  the  cause  of  the  Union ;  Rear- Admiral  Andrew  Hull 
Foote,  —  is  no  more. 

On  his  way  to  take  the  command  of  the  South- Atlantic 
squadron,  a  position  to  which  he  had  been  recently  assigned, 
and  the  duties  of  which  were  commanding  the  earnest  ener- 
gies of  a  mind  of  no  ordinary  character,  he  was  suddenly 
prostrated  by  disease,  and,  after  a  brief  illness,  breathed  his 
last  at  the  Astor  House,  in  New  York,  on  the  evening  of  the 
26th  instant. 

Among  the  noble  and  honored  dead  whose  names  have 
added  lustre  to  our  naval  renown,  and  must  ever  adorn  our 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  151 

national  annals,  few  will  stand  more  prominent  than  that  of 
the  gallant  and  self-sacrificing  Christian  sailor  and  gentle- 
man whose  loss  we  now  deplore. 

Appreciating  his  virtues  and  his  services,  a  grateful 
country  had  rendered  him,  while  living,  its  willing  honors, 
and  will  mourn  his  death.  As  a  mark  of  respect,  it  is 
hereby  ordered  that  the  flags  at  the  several  navy-yards, 
naval-stations,  and  on  the  flag-ships  of  the  squadrons,  be 
hoisted  at  half-mast,  and  that  thirteen  guns  be  fired  at 
meridian,  on  the  day  after  the  receipt  of  this  order. 
(Signed)  GIDEON  WELLES, 

Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

Admiral  Foote  was  as  eminent  in  piety  as  in  arms.  This 
incident  is  related  of  him  :  — 

"  On  the  Sabbath  after  the  capture  of  Fort  Henry,  quite 
a  large  congregation  had  assembled  at  the  little  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Cairo.  They  waited  a  long  time  for  the  regular 
preacher  to  come  and  open  the  services,  but  waited  in  vain  ; 
and  it  soon  became  apparent  that  they  were  to  go  home 
sermonless.  Just  then,  the  old  flag-officer,  as  he  was  then, 
appeared,  went  forward  to  the  sacred  desk,  and  opened  the 
service  with  prayer.  It  was  very  hard  for  the  audience  to 
restrain  their  applause  when  he  appeared  in  the  aisle, 
coming  as  he  did  from  the  scene  of  strife,  and  the  winner 
of  a  victory  whose  merits  were  upon  every  tongue ;  but, 
the  first  buzz  of  wondering  over,  the  congregation  bowed  in 
silence  and  awe,  the  more  marked  because  of  the  strange- 
ness of  the  coincidence.  Hardly  forty-eight  hours  before, 


152      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

the  old  veteran  was  hotly  engaged  in  dealing  death  and 
destruction  to  the  enemy  at  Fort  Henry :  now  he  stood 
before  the  people  in  the  character  of  a  preacher  of  the 
gospel  of  peace.  But  the  prayer  was  not  all.  After  the 
hymn,  he  took  his  text  from  Acts  xiv.  1,  and  preached  such 
a  sermon  as  had  not  been  heard  before  for  years.  Clear, 
calm,  logical,  he  proved,  in  truly  eloquent  diction,  that  the 
happiness  of  man  depended  upon  the  condition  of  the  heart, 
and  not  upon  worldly  prosperity  or  adversity.  After  the 
sermon,  the  congregation  vied  with  each  other  in  endeavors 
to  reach  him  to  congratulate  him  upon  his  success  in  the 
late  action ;  but  the  old  veterea  met  them  with  a  peculiar 
look,  as  much  as  to  say, ;  This  is  the  Sabbath  Day,  and  this 
is  God's  house,  and  no  time  or  place  to  glory  over  the  down- 
fall of  an  enemy.' 

"  Some  days  before  his  death,  he  stated  that  he  had  bnt 
little  time  to  live,  and  felt  that  he  was  gradually  sinking. 
He  was  anxious  that  Admiral  Dupont  should  be  informed 
that  he  had  not  intrigued  to  obtain  command  of  the 
squadron.  The  two  were  warm  friends.  He  bore  his 
painful  sickness  with  Christian  fortitude  and  meekness,  and 
felt  that  he  was  going  to  a  better  land,  and  to  scenes  more 
delightful  than  he  had  enjoyed ;  and,  in  that  faith,  he  who 
never  sacrificed  a  life  needlessly,  and  had  no  blood  on  his 
hands,  who  never  went  to  battle  without  having  his  soul 
prepared  by  prayer,  sank  quietly  and  peacefully  to  his 
rest." 

Of  Dupont  the  "Philadelphia  North- American"  says, — 
"  No  one  was  as  well  qualified  for  the  head  of  the  great 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  153 

expedition  as  Commodore  Dnpont.  His  whole  heart  is 
in  his  country's  troubles  ;  and  he  would  cheerfully  die,  as 
the  gallant  Lyon  did,  to  promote  her  welfare.  He  entered  the 
navy  as  a  midshipman  when  just  twelve  years  of  age,  and 
he  is  now  in  the  prime  of  his  physical  life.  With  more 
than  forty  years'  experience  in  his  profession,  and  a  well- 
disciplined  and  cultivated  mind,  he  unites  every  quality 
which  can  distinguish  a  great  naval  captain.  It  does  not, 
in  our  estimation,  detract  from  his  abilities  that  he  walks 
humbly  before  his  God  as  a  Christian  soldier  and  gentleman. 
No  one  has  ever  sailed  with  him  who  does  not  honor  and 
love  him,  while  no  ships  ever  exhibited  better  discipline 
than  those  which  he  commanded.  He  was  always  firm,  but 
kind ;  rigid,  but  lenient.  No  profanity  ever  polluted  his 
lips,  and  no  carelessness  of  living  ever  set  a  bad  example  to 
younger  men  who  were  serving  under  him." 

There  is  another  American  sailor,  who,  though  not  in  the 
navy,  deserves  to  be  mentioned  for  his  bravery,  and  de- 
termined resistance  to  rebel  piracy  :  — 

"  THE  MAN  WHO  DEFIED  WADDELL  THE  PIRATE.  —  The 
'  San-Francisco  Bulletin '  gives  the  following  account  of 
the  circumstances  of  the  defence  and  capture  of  the 
whaling-ship  '  Favorite,'  of  Fairhaven,  Mass.,  on  the  28th 
of  last  June.  Capt.  Young,  the  master  of  the  '  Favorite,' 
is  described  to  be  between  sixty  and  seventy  years  old,  and 
belongs  to  the  John  Brown  stamp  of  mortals,  who  believe 
in  fighting  the  wrong  under  all  circumstances,  and  never 
letting  right  back  down  to  it,  however  great  may  be  the 


154      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

odds.  Accordingly,  when  he  found  himself  cornered  by 
the  rebel  pirate,  with  no  chance  of  escape,  he  proceeded  to 
make  preparations  for  the  coming  conflict  with  such  means 
as  were  at  hand  ;  and,  had  it  not  been  for  what  was  done  by 
his  officers  as  described  below,  somebody  would  have  been 
hurt. 

"  Seeing  a  boat  shove  off  from  the  '  Shenandoah '  toward 
his  bark,  Capt.  Young  ordered  the  old  blunderbuss  used  for 
shooting  whales  to  be  brought  up  from  below,  together  with 
his  revolver  and  ammunition.  Having  carefully  loaded  the 
weapons,  the  old  salt  took  his  position  on  the  cabin-roof,  and 
awaited  the  approach  of  the  pirate's  boat.  As  he  came 
near  the  side  of  the  vessel,  Capt.  Young  pointed  his  blunder- 
buss at  the  officer  in  charge,  and  shouted  to  him  to  '  stand 
off!'  The  pirate  was  greatly  astonished  at  such  a  reception, 
and  at  first  was  inclined  to  think  that  the  old  man  was  play- 
ing a  '  goak '  on  him  ;  but,  seeing  his  determined  look  and 
the  unerring  aim  of  the  blunderbuss,  he  came  to  the  con- 
clusion that  discretion  was  the  better  part  of  valor,  and 
ordered  his  men  to  paddle  back  with  all  due  despatch  to 
the  '  Shenandoah.' 

"  By  this  time,  Capt.  Young's  fellow-officers  began  to  get 
shaky  in  the  knees  ;  and,  fearing  that  matters  would  come  to 
a  serious  pass,  they  took  the  precaution  to  steal  away  the 
old  man's  ammunition,  and  even  took  the  caps  off  the 
weapons  already  loaded.  Having  done  this,  they,  with  all 
the  crew,  crawled  into  the  boats,  lowered  themselves  into 
the  water,  and  left  Capt.  Young  alone  in  his  glory,  sole  oc- 
cupant of  the  vessel.  The  captain  thinks  this  was  a  shabby 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  155 

trick  :  it  was  hard  enough  for  him  to  fight  the  rebels  alone 
anyhow  ;  but  to  leave  him  with  nothing  but  a  bomb-gun, 
and  a  revolver  uncapped,  to  answer  the  broadside  of  the 
'  Shenandoah,'  was  putting  the  odds  altogether  too  heavy 
against  him.  He  did  not  back  down,  however,  but  kept 
his  position  on  the  cabin-roof,  and  awaited  the  flash  of  the 
enemy's  guns.  He  had  had  some  experience  of  the  uncer- 
tainties of  cannon-balls  and  shells,  having  run  a  schooner 
with  supplies  up  the  Potomac  in  the  earlier  part  of  the  Re- 
bellion. '  Besides,'  said  he,  '  I  have  only  four  or  five  years 
more  to  live,  anyway  ;  and  I  might  as  well  die  now  as  any 
time,  especially  as  all  I  have  is  invested  in  my  vessel ;  and 
if  I  lose  that  I  will  have  to  go  home  penniless,  and  die  a 
pauper.' 

"  While  thus  reasoning  to  himself,  he  heard  the  officer  of 
the  'Shenandoah'  give  the  order  to  'fire,  but  fire  low.' 
Without  deigning  to  rise  from  his  reclining  position,  he 
coolly  awaited  the  result  of  the  order ;  but  no  fire  came. 
Soon  he  saw  another  boat  pushing  off  toward  him  from  the 
'  Shenandoah.'  It  seems,  that,  after  the  order  to  '  fire '  was 
given,  some  one  on  board  the  pirate  discovered  that  one  of 
the  '  Shenandoah's'  boats  was  in  range,  and  hence  the  order 
was  countermanded.  When  the  pirate's  boat  came  along- 
side the  second  time,  the  officer  in  charge  ordered  Capt. 
Young  to  haul  down  his  colors.  '  I'll  see  you  d — d  first ! ' 
replied  the  captain.  '  If  you  don't  do  it,  I  will  shoot  you  ! ' 
said  the  officer.  '  Shoot,  and  be  d — d  ! '  said  the  captain. 
Hereupon  the  officer  dropped  his  gun  that  he  had  raised  to 
shoot  the  captain,  and  ordered  his  men  to  board  the  whaler. 


156       FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

Capt.  Young  had  by  this  time  discovered  that  the  caps  had 
been  removed  from  his  weapon  ;  and,  being  without  means 
of  defence,  he  could  offer  no  resistance,  and  was  therefore 
obliged  to  allow  himself  to  be  taken. 

"  They  conveyed  him  on  board  the  '  Shenandoah,'  and 
immediately  ordered  him  to  be  put  in  irons,  and  sent  to  the 
topgallant  forecastle  ;  at  the  same  time  telling  him,  that,  if 
he  was  anyway  saucy,  they  would  gag  him.  A  sentry  was 
placed  over  him  ;  and  he  was  kept  there  four  hours,  or  until 
he  was  put  aboard  the  '  Nile '  to  be  brought  to  San  Fran- 
cisco. He  was  robbed  of  every  thing,  including  a  hundred 
and  twenty  dollars  in  money,  a  gold  watch,  and  even  his 
shirt-studs.  He  also  had  a  library  of  two  hundred  and 
twenty  volumes,  which  was  stolen  from  the  '  Favorite  '  be- 
fore she  was  committed  to  the  flames." 

To  this  account  may  properly  be  added  an  anecdote, 
which  illustrates  the  patriotism  of  Young  America.  It 
is  from  the  "  Plymouth  Rock  :  "  — 

"A  BOY  HEKO. — Our  readers  will  remember  the  inci- 
dent, at  the  capture  of  the  United-States  steamship  '  Harriet 
Lane '  in  Galveston  Harbor,  of  a  boy  coming  on  deck, 
when  she  was  boarded  by  the  rebels,  with  a  revolver  in  each 
hand,  and  after  firing  every  barrel,  finding  the  vessel  surren- 
dered, threw  his  pistols  overboard  to  keep  them  out  of  the 
hands  of  the  rebels.  His  life  was  in  danger  from  the  act, 
as  a  rebel  soldier  had  a  sword  uplifted  to  cut  him  down  for 
throwing  away  his  pistols,  but  was  stopped-by  an  officer. 

H  All  loyal  citizens  will  rejoiqe  to  know  that  a  boy  of 


GALLANT  EXPLOITS  OF  OUR  NAVY.  157 

such  a  fearless  and  lofty  spirit  has  been  rewarded,  and  placed 
in  a  position  where  these  qualities  will  have  a  full  chance 
of  development.  By  a  letter  to  his  son,  from  our  towns- 
man Capt.  Phineas  Leach,  who  is  acting-master  on  board 
the  receiving  ship  '  North  Carolina,'  stationed  in  New- York 
Harbor,  where  this  young  hero  was  placed  when  released, 
we  learn,  that,  upon  the  act  of  this  boy  hero  coming  to  the 
notice  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  that  officer  issued  a 
warrant  of  midshipman  to  the  boy,  and  gave  orders  for  his 
admission  to  the  Naval  School  at  Newport. 

"  By  the  kindness  of  Capt.  Leach's  son,  we  are  enabled 
to  give  the  following  information  of  this  young  hero  :  '  His 
name  is  Robert  Cuminings.  He  was  born  in  Scotland,  from 
which  country  he  came,  with  his  father  and  mother,  when  he 
was  five  years  old.  His  father  died  about  three  years  after 
coming  to  this  country ;  and  young  Robert  was  obliged  to 
help  support  the  family.  He  had  not  been  at  school  since 
he  was  ten  years  old.  He  went  on  board  the  "  Harriet 
Lane"  when  thirteen  years  old  (being  now  but  fourteen), 
leaving  a  half-pay  ticket  of  five  dollars  per  month  to  his 
mother,  who  lives  in  Philadelphia.' 

"  Capt.  Leach  enclosed  a  photograph  of  young  Cummings, 
which  we  saw.  He  is  a  light-built  youth,  small  of  his  age, 
with  a  handsome,  determined  face,  and  good  head.  If  he 
lives,  and  has  an  opportunity,  we  doubt  not  that  Robert 
Cummings  will  again  be  heard  from  to  his  credit." 

With  such  naval  heroes,  can  any  thing  but  supremacy  on 
the  seas  be  predicted  for  the  American  navy  ?  Can  any 
banner  float  above  the  stars  and  stripes  ? 


158      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

"  Flag  of  the  seas  !  on  ocean  wave 

Thy  stars  shall  glitter  o'er  the  grave  : 
When  Death,  careering  on  the  gale, 

Sweeps  darkly  round  the  belted  sail, 
And  frighted  waves  rush  wildly  back 

Before  the  broadside's  reeling  rack, 
Each  dying  wanderer  of  the  sea 

Shall  look  at  once  to  heaven  and  thee, 
And  smile  to  see  thy  splendors  fly 

In  triumph  o'er  his  closing  eye. 

Flag  of  the  free  heart's  hope  and  home ! 

By  angel  hands  to  vak>r  given, 
The  stars  have  lit  the  welkin  dome, 

And  all  thy  hues  were  born  in  heaven. 
Forever  float  that  standard  sheet ! 

Where  breathes  the  foe  but  falls  before  us, 
With  Freedom's  soil  beneath  our  feet, 

And  Freedom's  banner  streaming  o'er  us  ?  "  * 

*  Joseph  Hodman  Drake. 


BATTLE-SCENES. — ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC      159 


CHAPTER  IV. 

BATTLE-SCEXES. AR3TY   OF   THE   POTOMAC. 

"  Strike  till  the  last  armed  foe  expires, 
Strike  for  your  altars  and  your  fires, 
Strike-for  the  green  graves  of  your  sires, 
God  and  your  native  land ! " 

E  Army  of  the  Potomac!  —  green  are  the  bays 
that  twine  around  that  name,  unfading  forever  the 
laurels  it  has  won  under  Sherman  and  Sheridan  and 
Grant !  To  present  all  its  history  would  require  volumes. 
The  reader  of  these  pages  can  be  furnished  only  with  pic- 
tures of  its  valor  and  glory,  sketched,  it  may  be,  with  a 
feeble  hand  sometimes,  but,  it  is  hoped,  always  truthfully. 

"  At  the  time  of  the  attack  on  Fort  Sumter,  the  entire 
military  force  at  the  disposal  of  the  Government  was  six- 
teen thousand  and  six  regulars.  They  were  principally 
employed  in  the  West  to  hold  in  check  marauding  Indians. 
It  has  always  been  the  policy  of  the  Government  to  main- 
tain the  army  at  the  lowest  number  of  privates  which  was 
practicable  with  the  interests  of  the  country,  and  to  rely 
upon  volunteers  whenever  any  emergency  should  arise. 
.  .  .  The  nucleus  of  our  army  was  always  preserved  by 
the  education  of  officers  at  West  Point.  .  .  .  The  call  of 


160      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

the  President  for  troops  for  three  months,  in  his  pro- 
clamation of  April  15,  asked  for  seventy-five  thousand 
men.  This  call  amounted,  in  the  aggregate,  to  ninety-four 
regiments,  making  seventy-three  thousand  three  hundred 
and  ninety-one  officers  and  men.  Of  the  States  called  upon, 
the  governors  of  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  Tennessee, 
Arkansas,  Kentucky,  and  Mississippi,  peremptorily  refused 
to  comply  with  the  requirements  made  by  the  War  Depart- 
ment. All  the  other  non-seceding  States  promptly  fur- 
nished the  number  required  of  them,  except  Maryland, 
whose  governor  was  prevented  from  so  doing  by  the  out- 
break at  Baltimore.  .  .  .  The  remainder,  to  constitute  the 
seventy-five  thousand  men,  was  composed  of  troops  in 
the  District  of  Columbia."* 

The  soldiers  who  fought  in  Virginia,  North  and  South 
Carolina,  and  Maryland,  are  included  under  the  general  term 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Their  victory  at  Bull  Run, 
or  Manassas,  led  the  rebels  to  regard  themselves  as  greatly 
the  superiors  of  the  Northern  people  in  battle  :  hence  they 
became  enthusiastic  for  continuing  the  war ;  and,  before 
the  autumn  of  1861,  they  had  a  large  army  in  front  of 
"Washington.  The  Union  army  was  increased  also,  and 
Gen.  McClellan  called  to  the  command.  "  The  people 
wanted  a  leader.  Gen.  Scott,  who  had  fought  at  Niagara 
and  Lundy's  Lane,  who  had  captured  the  city  of  Mexico, 
was  too  old  and  infirm  to  take  the  field.  Gen.  McDowell, 
although  his  plan  of  attack  at  Bull  Run  was  approved,  had 
failed  of  victory.  Gen.  McClellan  had  been  successful  in 

*  Annual  Cyclopaedia,  1861. 


BATTLE-SCENES. — ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     161 

the  skirmishes  at  Philippi  and  at  Rich  Mountain.  He  was 
known  to  be  a  good  engineer.  He  had  been  a  visitor  to 
Russia  during  the  Crimean  "War,  and  had  written  a  book 
upon  that  war,  which  was  published  by  Congress.  Pie  was 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  a  resident  of  Ohio  when  the 
war  broke  out.  The  governors  of  both  of  these  States  sent 
him  a  commission  as  a  brigadier-general,  because  he  had 
military  experience  in  Mexico,  because  he  was  known  as 
a  military  man,  and  because  they  were  in  great  need  of 
experienced  men  to  command  the  troops.  Having  all  these 
things  in  his  favor,  he  was  called  to  Washington,  and  made 
commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  on  the  27th  of 
July."  * 

The  principal  events  in  connection  with  this  army  during 
a  long  period  of  inactivity,  in  1861,  were  the  disaster  at 
Ball's  Bluff  and  a  victory  at  Drainsville. 

It  is  not  designed  to  present  a  history  of  army  operations 
in  any  part  of  the  country,  but  only  incidents  of  the  con- 
flicts. The  following  is  one  of  war's  terrible  scenes  in 
connection  with  the  Ball's-Bluff  defeat,  describing  the  scene 
of  crossing  the  river  after  the  battle  :  — 

"  "We  got  down  the  Bluff  to  the  water's  edge.  Of  the  two 
boats  that  brought  us  over,  one  was  departing  laden  with 
wounded ;  one  returning,  also  full  of  men.  But,  as  they 
neared  either  shore,  the  eagerness  of  the  occupants  embar- 
rassed the  men  who  were  in  charge.  The  frail  craft  oscillated 
to  and  fro  ;  then,  half  full  of  water,  and  almost  at  the  same 
time,  they  both  swamped.  Seeing  no  chance  of  escape,  the" 

*  Following  the  Flag,  by  Carleton. 


162      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

men  plunged  by  dozens  into  the  river,  some  naked,  some 
with  all  their  clothes  on.  Our  second  lieutenant  and  some 
eight  or  ten  of  the  company  had  collected  on  the  shore : 
our  first  lieutenant  joined,  and  both  prepared  to  swim 
across.  This  was  the  last  seen  of  them.  Many  were 
drowned.  As  you  stood  and  watched  them  swimming 
across,  you  would  see  here  and  there  one  throw  up  his  hands 
and  utter  a  cry,  then  slowly  disappear,  then  rise  again  with 
outstretched  hands,  then  sink  again,  and  rise  no  more." 

REMARKABLE  ESCAPE  AT  BALL'S  BLUFF. — The  "Albany 
Journal"  prints  an  extract  from  a  letter  written  by  Corporal 
P.  Young,  of  Company  D,  Fifteenth  Massachusetts  Regiment, 
to  his  brother  in  that  city,  in  which  he  gives  the  following 
account  of  his  escape  from  the  rebels  after  the  battle  of 
Ball's  Bluff:  — 

"  The  dread  alternative  of  surrendering  and  becoming  a 
prisoner  of  Jeff.  Davis,  or  swim  across  the  Potomac,  or  make 
my  grave  at  its  dark  and  murky  bottom,  presented  itself ;  and 
I  chose  to  swim,  with  all  my  uniform  on,  after  thinking  the 
matter  all  over  fully  in  a  cleft  of  the  rock,  where  I  hid 
myself  about  sundown,  when  the  friendly  darkness  covered 
my  escape,  and  put  an  end  to  the  awful  conflict. 

"  The  rebels  came  all  around  me,  passed  by  and  over  me. 
The  cleft  was  about  twenty  feet  perpendicular  height  where  I 
was  concealed  from  view.  When  it  became  dark,  I  ventured 
forth,  and  crept  the  whole  length  of  an  oak-tree  lying  out 
into  the  river.  Then  another  difficulty  presented  itself.  The 
moon  just  began  to  cast  its  silver  light  from  the  eastern  hori- 


BATTLE-SCENES.— ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.    163 

zon,  —  a  dreaded  light ;  for  it  made  all  a  conspicuous  mark 
on  tlie  prostrated  tree.  I  found  that  it  would  not  do  to  stay 
there  long :  so,  as  I  passed  by  one  man  and  another,  I  put 
iny  hand  on  a  stick,  which  was  loose,  and  I  took  it  in  my 
hand  to  steady  myself ;  and  I  thought  it  would  do  to  use  to 
push  a  raft  over  to  the  island,  in  case  they  made  one. 

"  But  I  soon  concluded,  that,  if  they  made  a  raft,  it  would  be 
swamped  by  the  rush  of  desperate  men  for  their  lives,  just 
as  the  boats  had  been  before.  Before  I  got  to  the  end  of  the 
tree,  a  man  asked  me  in  piteous  tones  to  give  him  the  stick. 
I  hesitated,  and  he  asked  me  several  times :  finally  I  con- 
sented ;  when,  for  some  unaccountable  reason,  he  did  not  ac- 
cept of  it,  neither  did  he  even  thank  me  for  the  offer.  I 
then  stepped  into  the  mud  and  water  up  to  my  breast,  and 
put  the  stick  crossways  of  my  shoulders,  and  commenced  to 
make  motions  like  a  fish  ;  when,  finding  that  others  behind 
me  who  were  undressed  would  be  likely  to  take  hold  of  my 
stick,  gaining  upon  me,  I  turned  it  parallel  with  my  body  ; 
and,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  I  was  pleased  with  the  idea  that 
I  somewhat  resembled,  with  the  stick  projecting  from  my 
head,  the  sword-fish.  And,  just  at  this  time,  a  little  dark 
cloud  shut  down  before  the  moon,  preventing  rebel  riflemen 
from  seeing  me  in  the  water,  and  firing  upon  me  as  they  did 
upon  scores  of  others,  even  after  they  had  crossed  to  the 
island.  I  made  no  noise,  not  opening  my  mouth  as  many 
did,  attracting  the  attention  of  the  rebels. 

"  While  I  was  in  the  water,  I  gave  myself  up  to  my  Saviour 
in  prayer,  using  the  same  prayer  which  had  availed  on 
another  occasion  :  '  Lord,  save,  or  I  perish  ! '  I  did  not  even 


164         FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

feel  cold  or  uncomfortable  or  unhappy,  but  could  see  the 
ripple  at  the  end  of  my  sword  (if  you  call  my  stick  a 
sword-fish) ,  by  which  I  knew  that  I  was  making  headway, 
the  heavy  current  taking  me  away  down  stream  a  long  dis- 
tance. But  at  length  I  reached  the  island,  and  went  to 
the  building  where  the  wounded  had  been  carried  during  the 
day,  where  I  found  so  many  so  much  worse  than  myself, 
that  I  did  not  speak  to  anybody,  the  floors  being  all  covered 
with  dead  and  wounded. 

"  I  found  I  was  getting  cold,  and  immediately  went  out 
for  exercise,  and  met  a  m$n  who  was  waiting  on  the 
wounded,  carrying  them  blankets,  overcoats,  &c.  He  asked 
me  if  I  did  not  want  something  to  put  on.  I  replied, '  Yes,' 
thankfully  ;  and  he  took  off"  his  own  coat,  as  I  supposed  ;  but, 
to  my  perfect  surprise  and  astonishment,  he  had  given  me 
my  own  overcoat,  taken  from  an  outhouse  in  which  hun- 
dreds had  been  thrown  before  the  battle,  and  carried  off  dur- 
ing the  day  without  any  regard  to  who  the  owner  was.  I 
made  my  way  home  to  camp,  and  did  not  feel  exhausted 
after  all  the  almost  superhuman  labors  and  trials  and  suffer- 
ings of  that  bloody  day." 

The  following  lines  were  penned  by  a  Greenfield  soldier 
soon  after  the  battle  :  — 

THE  HEROES   OF  BALL'S  BLUFF. 

Above  them,  dark  and  stormy  clouds  ; 

Before  them,  forests  thick  with  foes  ; 
Behind  them,  yon  steep  precipice; 

Beneath,  a  rapid  river  flows. 


BATTLE-SCENES.  —  ARMY~OF  THE  POTOMAC.     165 

Thus  compassed  is  our  gallant  band  ; 

'Tis  not  for  them  to  question  why  : 
Though  ten  to  one  the  foe  advance, 

'Tis  theirs  to  charge,  to  fight,  to  die. 

Come  ye  "who  deem  that  valor's  fled, 
That  ancient  knighthood's  gone  for  aye, 

And  weep  with  us  who  mourn  our  dead 
As  on  the  battle-field  they  lie. 

With  pale,  cold  faces  upward  turned, 
See  the  strong  man,  the  tender  youth, 

Who  nobly  fought  and  nobly  fell 
For  God,  for  country,  and  for  truth. 

Their  mission  done,  their  work  fulfilled, 
They're  gone  with  God  in  peace  to  dwell ; 

And  now,  perchance,  are  watching  o'er 
The  country  they  have  loved  so  well. 

O  country  !  to  our  sons  so  dear, 
That  their  life-blood  they  freely  give, 

Enshrine  those  heroes  in  thy  heart, 
And  let  their  names  forever  live. 

Among  the  battles  fought  by  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
was  that  of  Antietam,  in  which  the  Union  forces  lost  so 
heavily,  that  it  could  hardly  be  determined  whether  we 
gained  a  victory  or  suffered  a  defeat.  The  following 
extract  from  a  private  letter  gives  the  impression  of  the 
hour  upon  the  mind  of  a  young  soldier*  who  left  the 

*  John  Groves  Smith,  jun.,  of  Beverly,  Mass. 


166      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

student  haunts  of  Andover  to  defend  his  country's  life  and 
honor :  — 

"Within  a  week,  I  have  been  an  actor  among  scenes 
which  God  grant  may  not  be  enacted  over  again,  at  least 
many  times  in  my  life.  I  will  tell  you  as  well  as  I  can 
what  I  have  seen  since  last  Sabbath  morning.  At  that  time, 
our  brigade  was  in  Middletown,  Md.,  from  whence  troops 
in  advance  of  us  had  driven  the  enemy.  At  this  place,  I  ate 
the  last  substantial  meal,  a  good  breakfast,  which  I  got  by 
paying  twenty-five  cents.  About  noon,  we  took  our  line  of 
march  onward,  and,  about  five  o'clock,  reached  the  scene 
of  action.  As  we  neared  it,  wounded  men,  supported  by 
comrades  and  borne  in  ambulances,  were  met,  being  conveyed 
to  hospitals,  and  places  of  safety.  Our  regiment  first  formed 
in  line  of  battle  in  a  cornfield,  and  directly  advanced  through 
a  piece  of  woods,  acting  as  deployers  or  skirmishers.  Here 
the  regiment  broke  badly ;  and  it  is  wonderful  that  it  was 
not  either  surrounded,  or  taken  prisoners,  or  used  up,  as  the 
enemy  ^-ere  in  strong  force  all  around  us.  Soon  we  came 
together  in  a  lane  as  well  as  we  could,  and,  advancing, 
turned  into  another  lane  running  at  right  angles  with  this, 
and,  jumping  over  a  fence,  took  position  on  one  side  of  it. 
We  remained  here  but  a  moment ;  when  order  was  given  to 
fall  back  into  the  lane  whence  we  had  first  come.  We  did  so, 
and,  advancing  down  about  forty  rods,  crossed  the  fence  into 
an  open  field  on  the  right,  and  had  hardly  done  so,  when, 
from  the  other  side,  the  enemy,  under  cover  of  our  flag, 
poured  upon  us  a  volley  of  musketry  which  caused  every 
man  to  drop  instanter :  had  we  not  done  so,  the  loss 


BATTLE-SCENES.— ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     167 

of  life  would  have  been  terrible ;  as  it  was,  we  had 
some  fifty  wounded  during  this  fire.  Our  general  (Reno) 
was  killed,  and  our  colonel  (Wild)  was  shot  through  the 
arm. 

"  As  soon  as  it  was  deemed  safe,  we  fell  back  into  a  piece 
of  woods,  under  cover  of  the  darkness,  and  came  together 
again  in  the  lane  a  little  below  where  we  had  received  the 
volley.  We  remained  here  some  two  hours  perfectly  quiet, 
the  balls  of  the  enemy  meantime  whistling  over  our  heads 
incessantly :  had  their  range  been  lower,  you  can  imagine 
the  result.  About  ten  o'clock,  the  firing  ceased  ;  when  we 
passed  into  an  open  field,  and  rested  as  Avell  as  we  could. 
•In  the  morning,  I,  at  iny  leisure,  went  over  the  battle-field. 
The  lane  I  have  spoken  of,  and  the  piece  of  woods  through 
which  we  skirmished,  were  thickly  strewn  with  dead  bodies, 
mostly  of  the  enemy.  As  I  looked  upon  them,  I  felt  very 
solemn;  then  I  thought  of  my  God  and  my  country,  and 
felt  strong  and  resolute,  and  prayed  that  I  might  be  prepared 
for  whatever  an  all-wise  Providence  might  have  in  store  for 
me.  I  needed  to  think  and  pray ;  for  in  a  little  time  my 
strength,  resolution,  and  resignation  were  to  be  tested. 
Come  with  me  now  to  the  battle-field  of  Wednesday,  which 
was  three  miles  from  here,  and  eight  from  the  action  of 
Sunday.  Early  in  the  forenoon,  our  brigade  marched  for- 
ward gradually,  and  about  noon  came  to  the  bridge  at 
which  the  tremendous  battle  was  going  on.  The  enemy 
were  across  the  bridge,  and,  aided  by  almost  every  natural 
advantage,  were  contesting  our  passage. 

"  Our  regiment  lay  on  the  left  slope  of  a  hill,  and  for  more 


168      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

than  an  hour  listened  to  the  play  of  the  artillery  above  and 
the  infantry  below  us  :  and  it  was  effective  ;  for,  at  the  expi- 
ration of  that  time,  our  troops,  cheering  loudly,  commenced 
the  passage  of  the  bridge.  The  Thirty-fifth  was  the  second 
regiment  to  cross.  As  soon  as  we  were  over,  we  charged  up 
the  hill,  although  encumbered  with  our  ammunition,  blankets, 
overcoats,  and  rations,  right  into  the  face  of  a  rebel  battery 
of  five  or  six  guns.  Falling  back,  we  lay  motionless  under 
shelter  of  the  hill  for  two  hours  or  more ;  and  a  more 
dangerous  position  when  we  first  took  it  can  scarcely  be  con- 
ceived. We  had  nothing  in  front  of  us,  not  even  a  skirmish- 
er ;  and  had  the  enemy,  backed  by  their  battery,  advanced 
upon  us,  God  only  knows  the  consequence.  But  after  a 
while,  upon  our  extreme  right,  several  regiments  sent  out 
skirmishers,  and  gradually  advanced  ;  and  two  regiments 
came  right  on  over  us  into  the  position  whence  we  had  fallen 
back.  Directly  came  the  order,  '  Forward,  Thirty-fifth  ! ' 
and,  advancing  to  the  left,  wre  formed  in  line  of  battle  on  both 
sides  of  a  lane.  While  doing  so,  a  shell  which  exploded 
struck  a  poor  fellow  two  files  front  of  me,  and  killed  him  in- 
stantly. Directly  we  were  at  it,  and  the  slaughter  on  both 
sides  was  terrible.  Five  of  Company  C  were  killed,  and 
twenty  wounded ;  among  the  latter  your  brother,  —  thank 
God  !  not  seriously.  The  Thirty-fifth  was  awfully  cut  up  : 
three  companies  had  every  commissioned  officer  badly 
wounded ;  one  company  numbered  fifty-seven  killed  and 
wounded  ;  and  the  whole  regiment  at  the  close  of  the  fight 
mustered  but  about  three  hundred  effective  men  out  of  over 
seven  hundred." 


BATTLE-SCENES. — ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     169 

An  extract  from  another  private  letter  *  gives  a  graphic 
picture  of  scenes  just  after  the  battle  :  — 

"  The  dead  lay  just  as  they  fell ;  but  they  were  terribly 
swollen,  and  all  turned  black  in  the  face,  with  their  eyes 
almost  out  of  their  heads  :  it  was  an  awful  sight.  They  all 
looked  just  alike  in  the  face  :  they  lay  in  long  rows  just  as 
they  had  stood  in  line  of  battle.  At  one  place,  where  they 
had  formed  behind  a  fence,  they  lay  two  and  three  deep.  I 
saw  several  officers  among  them.  "William  Warren  was  shot 
in  the  right  arm,  taken  prisoner,  and  paroled  by  the  rebels  : 
he  got  back  the  same  day,  and  joined  the  regiment.  He 
went  to  a  hospital  near  by,  and  I  sat  up  with  him  all  night. 
It  was  a  hard  night  for  me  :  we  were  in  a  very  large  barn, 
filled  with  wounded  men,  mostly  rebels  ;  and  there  were  only 
two  stewards  to  attend  to  about  two  hundred  men  :  so  I  was 
up  all  night.  First  I  would  turn  over  one  man,  then  I 
would  prop  up  the  arm  or  leg  of  another,  then  pour  water 
on  their  wounds,  or  give  them  some  to  drink.  We  had  to 
take  one  man  out  into  the  yard  to  die.  I  stood  by  and 
saw  two  or  three  men  die.  It  was  a  very  eventful  night 
for  me.  The  man  who  lay  next  to  Warren  was  a  very 
gentlemanly  fellow :  he  belonged  to  the  Fifth  South-Carolina 
Regiment ;  he  said  he  had  been  in  the  battles  of  Savage 
Station  and  Malvern  Hill.  It  seemed  queer  to  be  feeding 
with  a  spoon  the  man,  who,  a  little  while  before,  had  been 
trying  to  kill  me.  It  is  queer  any  way  to  talk  to  men,  who, 
you  know,  would  kill  you  if  they  had  the  means." 

*  Written  by  Lieut.  Charles  P.  Abbott,  son  of  Rev.  Joseph  Abbott, 
D.D.,  of  Beverly,  Mass. 


170       FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,   AND  PRISON. 

The  following  letter  from  a  well-known  war-correspondent 
gives  some  interesting  incidents  of  the  battle  of  Antietam  :  — 

SHAKPSBCEG,  MD.,  Sept.  19,  1862. 
To  the  Editor  of  the  "  Boston  Journal"  — 

The  village  of  Sharpsburg  suffered  severely  from  our 
shells  during  the  battle.  Burnside's,  Richardson's,  Frank- 
lin's, and  Sumner's  batteries  were  at  times  playing  upon  the 
rebels  in  the  direction  of  the  town.  I  remember  especially 
the  vigor  with  which  Ayer's  battery  was  worked,  pouring 
an  incessant  fire  into  the  cornfield  west  of  Roulet's  house, 
and  upon  the  hills  above  it,  where  the  "Washington  artillery 
of  New  Orleans  was  in  position. 

Many  of  the  houses  of  Sharpstturg  are  of  wood,  lined  with 
brick.  In  one  house,  a  shell  had  burst  in  the  second  story, 
tearing  out  the  side  and  a  portion  of  the  end,  throwing  the 
clapboards  and  brick  into  the  street,  making  a  hole  through 
which  you  might  drive  a  four-wheeled  coach.  A  large  and 
substantial  brick  house  had  several  shots  pass  through  it.  A 
twelve-pound  shot  passed  through  a  wooden  house,  tearing 
out  a  large  oak  post,  and  fell  upon  the  back  of  a  horse  in 
the  street,  killing  him  instantly.  A  large  barn  was  set  on 
fire  near  the  town,  and  consumed.  Several  houses  and  barns 
north  of  the  town,  in  range  of  Sumner's  batteries,  were 
burned,  but  whether  by  our  shells  or  by  the  rebels,  I  have 
not  been  able  to  ascertain. 

The  inhabitants  fled  when  the  shock  of  battle  began. 
They  were  returning  when  our  army  reached  the  place.  They 
were  very  kind  to  our  soldiers.  They  have  been  stripped 


BATTLE-SCENES. — ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     171 

of  nearly  all  their  provisions,  their  pigs,  and  poultry :  their 
gardens  are  destroyed,  their  apples  and  fruit  taken, 
their  cornfields  trampled  down,  and  potatoes  stolen.  Yet, 
•with  their  own  losses  so  heavy,  they  distributed  freely  of 
what  they  had  to  our  suffering  soldiers.  They  are  large- 
hearted,  kind,  benevolent,  and  will  be  remembered  with 
gratitude  by  many  a  soldier. 

Although  I  saw  thousands  of  wounded  men,  I  heard  but 
few  complaints.  I  cannot  tell  why  it  is  that  wounded  men 
make  so  little  ado  upon  the  battle-field.  Possibly  it  may  be 
their  systems  are  benumbed,  possibly  because  the  excitement 
of  the  hour  acts  as  an  anaesthetic,  producing  partial  insensi- 
bility to  pain,  but  probably  from  a  consideration  that  thou- 
sands are  suffering  with  them,  and  that  it  is  childish  to  make 
complaint  over  that  which  cannot  be  helped.  Their  heroism 
sustains  them. 

I  noticed  it  after  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing,  where  I 
passed  twenty-four  hours  on  a  steamboat  with  five  hundred 
wounded.  I  noticed  it  yesterday  in  a  hospital  containing 
some  of  the  wounded  of  the  New-Hampshire  Ninth,  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Twenty-first.  Lieut.-Col.  Titus  of  the  New-Hamp- 
shire Ninth,  and  several  of  his  officers,  were  there ;  and, 
although  severely  wounded,  they  were  very  cheerful. 

Passing  by  a  large  straw  stack,  where  several  hundred 
privates  were  lying,  I  found  them  equally  cheerful.  I  heard 
but  few  groans. 

One  of  the  most  affecting  incidents  occurred  during  the 
night.  I  was  finding  forage  for  my  horse  at  a  house  near 
Keitiesville,  which  was  filled  with  those  slightly  wounded,  — 


172      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

those  who  had  received  balls  in  their  feet,  hands,  and  arms. 
They  had  had  supper,  hard -bread  and  coffee,  and  were 
happy.  They  were  singing,  not  rollicking  songs,  but  "  Our 
Flag  is  there." 

Then  there  came  thoughts  of  home,  of  loved  ones,  of 
past  scenes  and  pleasant  memories,  and  expressed  in  that 
old  familiar  song  :  — 

"  Do  they  miss  me  at  home  ?  do  they  miss  me 

At  morning,  at  noon,  or  at  night  ? 
And  lingers  a  gloomy  shade  round  them 

That  only  my  presence  can  light  1 
Are  joys  less  invitingly  welcome, 

And  pleasure  less  hale,  than  before, 
Because  one  is  missed  from  the  circle, 

Because  I  am  with  them  no  more?  " 

There  was  a  shade  of  sadness  in  the  tones  of  those  who 
sang,  not  of  discouragement ;  but  it  was  the  welling-up 
of  affection,  the  return  of  sweet  recollections,  which  neither 
hardship,  suffering,  privation,  or  long  absence,  could  efface. 

Missed  at  home  ?  —  ah,  how  sadly  !  CAKLETON. 

It  was  on  this  sanguinary  battle-field  that  the  gallant 
young  Capt.  Richard  Derby  fell,  while  cheering  his  men, 
and  nobly  leading  them  on  to  the  conflict.* 

One  aged  father  was  called  to  mourn  the  loss  of  three 
sons  at  Antietam. 

The  following  paragraph  will  show  how  the  venerable 
patriot  gave  all  to  his  country,  and,  like  many  another  noble 
soul,  did  not  regret  the  terrible  sacrifice  :  — 

*  See  Memoir  published  by  Degen  &  Estes,  Boston. 


BATTLE-SCENES.  —  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.      173 

"  An  old  gray-headed  man,  upwards  of  eighty  years  of 
age,  canie  in  from  the  East  this  morning  by  the  train,  on  his 
way  home  to  Michigan.  He  had  a  sad  story  to  tell  of  the 
sorrows  caused  by  this  unholy  Rebellion.  The  old  gentle- 
man, whose  name  is  Crane,  residing  in  Wayne  County, 
Mich.,  had  three  sons.  Two  of  them  joined  one  of  the 
Michigan  regiments,  and  have  done  good  service  in  several 
of  the  battles  in  Eastern  Virginia.  The  third,  not  much 
more  than  a  lad,  was  also  anxious  to  join  his  brothers,  but 
was  for  some  time  dissuaded  from  the  step  by  his  father  and 
mother  ;  the  latter  having  been  for  years  a  confirmed  invalid. 
At  last,  the  urgent  entreaties  of  the  lad  prevailed  ;  and  but  a 
short  time  since  he  passed  through  Cleveland  on  his  way  to 
join  the  regiment  to  which  his  brothers  belonged.  The  bloody 
struggle  at  Antietam  soon  followed  after  ;  and  in  that  battle 
the  three  brothers  fell,  fighting  bravely.  Information  was 
sent  home  to  the  bereaved  parents  ;  and  the  shock  of  the 
news  was  so  great,  that  the  mother,  enfeebled  by  long  sick- 
ness, died  in  a  few  days.  As  soon  as  she  was  laid  in  the 
grave,  the  old  man  set  out  for  the  battle-field,  with  the  hope 
of  finding  the  bodies  of  his  three  sons,  and  bringing  them 
home  to  rest  beside  that  of  their  mother.  The  search  was 
long  and  thorough,  but  was  unsuccessful.  They  had  been 
probably  buried  on  the  field,  with  nothing  to  mark  where 
they  lay.  Mr.  Crane  returns  home  bent  down  with  years 
and  with  his  great  sorrow.  He  says  that  he  has  now  no 
relatives  left,  and  nothing  to  live  for.  Yet  he  does  not 
regret  the  sacrifice  made  on  the  altar  of  his  country, 
and  only  laments  that  he  has  not  strength  to  shoulder  his 


174      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

musket,  and  go  himself  to  fight  against  this  wicked  Rebel- 
lion." * 

The  "  Boston  Journal "  says,  "  One  of  our  correspond- 
ents, who  was  with  the  division  of  Gen.  Sturgis  at  the 
battle  of  Antietam,  gives  the  following  account  of  the  part 
taken  by  that  division  in  the  contest.  It  will  be  seen  that 
the  New-Hampshire  Ninth  and  Massachusetts  Thirty-fifth, 
new  regiments,  won  much  credit  by  their  bravery  :  — 

"  'Our  division,  under  Gen.  Sturgis,  were  on  the  extreme 
left,  and  were  not  placed  in  line  until  about  five,  P.M.,  when 
a  double-quick  movement  took  place,  and  the  whole  division 
started  like  Bengal  tigers  let  loose  for  prey.  They  run 
through  a  galling  fire  of  shot  and  shell  until  they  were 
within  reach  of  the  enemy's  mifsketry,  when  a  heavy  fire 
opened  on  us,  which  Gen.  Naglee,  commanding  our  brig- 
ade, saw  at  once  would  decimate  the  brigade  ;  and  so  the 
order  came  to  charge  bayonets.  Promptly  the  glistening 
steel  was  placed  in  position,  and  here  one  of  the  most  bril- 
liant bayonet  charges  took  place  that  has  been  seen  during 
the  war.  The  brigade  had  to  charge  up  hill,  over  stone 
walls  and  other  obstructions,  and  met  the  enemy  at  a  great 
disadvantage.  The  Massachusetts  Thirty-fifth  Regiment  was 
put  in  order  of  battle,  and  did  great  execution  at  the  first  onset. 
In  Gen.  Naglee's  brigade  and  Sturgis's  division  was  also 
the  Ninth  Regiment  New-Hampshire  volunteers,  Col.  Fel- 
lows, one  of  the  most  experienced  colonels  in  the  army.  It 
was  a  handsome  sight  to  see  him  put  his  regiment  into  ac- 
tion. "When  the  clear,  sonorous  order  came  from  Col.  Fel- 

*  Cleveland  Herald. 


BATTLE-SCENES.  —  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.      175 

lows, "  Charge,  bayonets  ! "  every  eye  gleamed  in  the  "  Bloody 
Ninth,"  as  the  brigade  now  call  the  regiment.  Every  man 
threw  away  his  knapsack,  blanket,  and  haversack,  and 
leaped  over  a  stone  wall  six  feet  high,  with  a  yell  that  fairly 
sent  terror  through  the  rebel  ranks  opposite.  With  eyes 
gleaming  with  joy  and  determination,  and  every  bayonet 
fixed,  they  charged  up  the  hill  and  through  the  cornfield  at 
double-quick,  with  a  perfect  yell  of  triumph.  Col.  Fellows 
and  Lieut. -Col.  Titus  astonished  the  old  veterans  in  the  ser- 
vice by  the  manner  in  which  they  brought  the  Ninth  New- 
Hampshire  volunteers  into  the  action.  It  was  a  grand  and 
magnificent  sight,  and  one  seldom  seen  in  battle.  The  rebels 
fled  before  them,  and  every  rebel  regiment  broke  and  run. 
G-eu.  Reno  fell  beside  the  Ninth  New-Hampshire  volunteers 
and  Thirty-fifth  Massachusetts  about  dark,  just  in  the  mo- 
ment of  victory.'  " 

One  more  incident  illustrating  the  bravery  of  our  men 
may  be  given,  and  then  other  battles  in  which  the  Potomac 
Army  was  engaged  may  be  mentioned. 

AN  INCIDENT  OF  THE  BATTLE  OF  ANTIETAM.  —  Mr. 
Thomas  Drew,  of  this  city,  has  received  from  eye-witnesses 
an  account  of  the  death  of  his  brother,  Herbert  M.  Drew, 
of  the  Haverhill  Company,  Thirty-fifth  Massachusetts  Regi- 
ment. The  letter  giving  the  account  says,  — 

"  You  remember,  in  reading  the  accounts  of  the  battle  of 
Antietam,  that  there  was  a  certain  hill  that  Gen.  McClel- 
lan  wished  Burnside  to  hold  at  all  hazards,  and  that  Burn- 
side  sent  word  that  he  could  not  hold  it  half  an  hour.  Upon 


176       FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

the  holding  of  that  hill  depended  the  fate  of  the  whole  of 
Burnside's  corps. 

"  The  Thirty-fifth  Massachusetts  Regiment  was  stationed 
on  the  top  to  defend  it ;  but  the  fire  was  so  severe,  that  they  fell 
back  and  retreated  down  the  hill,  with  the  exception  of 
twenty-five  determined  men,  who  remained  and  held  the 
hill,  without  a  single  commissioned  officer  to  lead  them. 
Gen.  Burnside  said  those  noble  twenty-five  men  saved  him 
the  day. 

"  Herbert  was  conspicious  among  these,  fighting  with  the 
most  determined  bravery  ;  and,  although  the  rebels  charged 
up  the  hill  to  within  two  rods  of  the  devoted  band,  they  were 
repulsed.  It  was  at  this  charge  that  Herbert  was  killed, 
receiving  two  full  charges  of  buck  and  ball  near  the  heart. 
He  died  almost  instantly,  without  a  word  or  a  struggle. 
Out  of  this  little  band  of  heroes,  fifteen  were  killed  out- 
right; and  they  were  buried  on  the  very  spot  they  had 
bought  so  dearly  for  a  resting-place."  * 

While  the  memory  of  such  bravery  and  patriotism  ex- 
ists, each  loyal  heart  must  rejoice,  and  have  hope  for  our 
country's  future.  Our  flag,  the  emblem  of  liberty  to  all,  is 
destined  to  wave  in  triumph  to  the  end  of  time. 

"  Washed  in  the  blood  of  the  brave  and  the  blooming, 

Snatched  from  the  altars  of  insolent  foes, 

Burning  with  star-fires,  but  never  consuming, 

Flash  its  broad  ribbons  of  lily  and  rose. 


Boston  Journal. 


BATTLE-SCENES.  — ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     177 

Vainly  the  prophets  of  Baal  would  rend  it, 
Vainly  his  worshippers  pray  for  its  fall : 

Thousands  have  died  for  it,  millions  defend  it, 
Emblem  of  justice  and  mercy  to  all,  — 

Justice  that  reddens  the  sky  with  her  terrors, 

Mercy  that  comes  with  her  white-handed  train,  — 

Soothing  all  passions,  redeeming  all  errors, 
Sheathing  the  sabre,  and  breaking  the  chain. 

Borne  on  the  deluge  of  old  usurpations, 

Drifted  our  ark  o'er  the  desolate  seas  : 
This  was  the  rainbow  of  hope  to  the  nations, 

Torn  from  the  storm-cloud,  and  flung  to  the  breeze ! 

God  bless  the  flag  and  its  loyal  defenders 
While  its  broad  folds  o'er  the  battle-field  wave, 

Till  the  dim  star-wreath  rekindle  its  splendors, 

Washed  from  its  stains  in  the  blood  of  the  brave !  "  * 

From  a  letter  to  the  "  Baltimore  American  "  by  its  editor, 
C.  C.  Fulton,  Esq.,  some  of  the  battle-scenes  in  connection 
with  the  great  battle  before  Richmond  in  1862,  when  Me- 
Clellan  commanded  and  was  defeated,  are  here  given  :  — 

"  About  seven  o'clock  on  Friday  evening,  numbers  of  the 
wounded  commenced  to  arrive  from  the  front  of  the  lines, 
with  a  few  of  the  most  intelligent  of  whom  I  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  conversing.  Those  engaged  in  the  repulse  of 
Stonewall  Jackson  represent  his  rout  to  be  most  quick  and 
disastrous.  He  came  down  on  them,  expecting  a  surprise, 
but  found  them  all  momentarily  expecting  his  approach, 

*  Dr.  0.  W.  Holmes. 


178       FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

having  been  informed  by  Gen.  McClellan,  two  days  previ- 
ous, that  he  was  coming  upon  them.  Instead  of  a  surprise, 
the  enemy  received  the  first  shot,  and,  after  two  hours'  fight, 
retreated  in  confusion. 

"  The  wounded  from  the  fight  which  immediately  ensued 
represented  it  to  have  been  a  most  terrific  encounter ;  the 
enemy  coming  out  from  Richmond  upon  them  in  such  dense 
masses,  that  the  shell  and  grape  poured  into  them  as  they 
advanced  made  great  gaps  in  their  lines,  which  were  imme- 
diately filled  up,  and  they  moved  forward  most  determinedly. 
Their  artillery  was  so  poorly  served,  that  the  damage  to  our 
ranks  was  light  in  proportion.  They  still  moved  on,  and 
exchanged  showers  of  Minie  balls,  which  were  destructive 
on  both  sides ;  but,  when  Gen.- Porter  ordered  a  bayonet 
charge,  they  retreated  in  double-quick,  though  Gen.  Porter 
pursued  them  but  a  short  distance. 

"  The  enemy  again  rallied,  and  approached  our  lines  a 
second  time,  when  the  same  terrible  slaughter  ensued  :  this 
time,  their  artillery,  being  better  served,  was  more  effective 
in  the  ranks  of  our  men.  On  coming  to  close  quarters, 
they  were  again  repulsed,  and  driven  back  a  still  greater 
distance  ;  this  twice  fought  over  battle-ground  being  literally 
strewn  with  the  dead  and  dying.  Gen.  Porter  then  a 
second  time  fell  back  to  his  position,  and  waited  nearly  an 
hour  for  the  enemy  to  renew  the  assault.  They,  however, 
finally  came  on  in  increased  numbers,  having  been  largely 
re-enforced,  and  were  again  received  with  shell  and  grape, 
causing  great  chasms  in  their  ranks  ;  and  one  poor  fellow 
who  had  lost  his  arm  assured  me  that  he  saw  the  loose  arms 


BATTLE-SCENES.— ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     179 

and  portions  of  the  bodies  of  the  enemy  making  gyrations 
through  the  air.  A  third  time  the  enemy  bore  down  most 
bravely  and  determinedly  on  our  lines,  and  this  conflict  was 
the  most  severely  contested  of  the  whole  ;  but,  when  the  bay- 
onet was  brought  to  bear,  he  fell  back,  and  was  pressed  to- 
ward Richmond  fully  a  mile  beyond  our  original  lines. 

"  Again,  for  the  fourth  time,  Gen.  Porter  fell  back  to  his 
first  position  ;  when  an  order  was  received  from  Gen.  Mc- 
Clellan  to  continue  his  retrograde  movement  slowly  and  in 
order.  So  soon  as  it  became  apparent  to  the  enemy  that  it 
was  the  purpose  of  Gen.  Porter  to  retire,  the  enemy  again 
pushed  forward  most  boldly  and  bravely  ;  when  their  advance 
was  checked  by  the  entire  reserve  force,  consisting  of  the 
New- York  Fifth,  Lieut.-Col.  Duryea,  the  New-York  Tenth, 
Col.  Bendix,  and  two  other  regiments,  under  command  of 
Col.  Warren,  acting  brigadier-general,  and  the  entire  force 
of  regulars  under  Major-Gen.  Sykes.  This  fresh  force 
held  the  enemy  in  check,  while  the  force  which  had  previ- 
ously borne  the  brunt  of  the  battle  moved  steadily  back  and 
in  good  order,  carrying  with  them  their  wounded  and  dead. 

"  The  enemy  made  a  fierce  attack  on  the  reserve  ;  but  can- 
non were  posted  at  various  points  of  the  route  by  which  they 
were  retiring  toward  the  Chickahoininy,  which  occasionally 
poured  in  shot  and  shell  upon  them,  and  checked  their  move- 
ments, and  enabled  the  troops  to  move  back  in  the  most 
admirable  order.  At  one  time  in  this  retrograde  movement, 
the  reserve  force  of  Gen.  Sykes  charged  on  the  enemy  with 
the  bayonet,  and  drove  him  back  nearly  a  mile.  In  this 
charge,  the  gallant  New- York  Fifth,  and  Col.  Bendix's  New- 


180      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

York  Tenth,  drew  forth  the  plaudits  of  the  army  by  their 
steadiness  and  bravery,  in  which  they,  however,  lost  about 
a  hundred  of  their  numbers,  whose  bodies  it  was  necessary 
to  leave  on  the  field.  Cheers  went  up  along  our  whole  lines 
at  this  gallant  repulse,  which  was  at  three  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon ;  and  the  enemy  did  not  again  renew  the  attack  during 
the  balance  of  the  evening,  but  turned  his  columns  down 
toward  Whitehouse,  which  seemed  to  be  the  haven  of  all 
his  hopes." 

The  Nineteenth  Massachusetts  Regiment,  under  Col. 
Hinks,  won  fadeless  laurels  in  that  battle. 

"  In  order  that  the  reader  may  be  fully  informed  of  the 
gallant  conduct  of  the  officers  and  men  of  this  command,  it 
is  necessary  to  go  back  to  the  opening  fight  of  Wednesday, 
the  25th  of  April.  The  regiment  was  attached  to  Sedg- 
wick's  division,  and  constituted  a  part  of  the  reserve  at  the 
battle  of  Fair  Oaks,  where  they  went  into  action  at  the  close 
of  the  last  day's  fighting,  and  came  out  with  the  loss  of  only 
one  man.  On  Wednesday  morning,  Col.  Hinks  received 
orders  to  advance  his  regiment,  from  the  intrenchments 
where  they  had  lain  for  two  weeks  without  shelter  of  any 
kind,  to  the  front  of  Fair-oaks  Station,  to  extend  Hooker's 
lines  to  the  right. 

"  Col.  Hinks  was  compelled  to  advance  his  regiment 
through  a  swamp  which  was  filled  with  dense  underwood. 
He  commenced  moving  his  command  at  eight  o'clock  by 
throwing  out  Company  K,  the  Boston  Fire  Zouaves,  as  skir- 
mishers. Col.  Hinks  speaks  in  praiseworthy  terms  of  the 


BATTLE-SCENES.  —  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.    181 

conduct  of  this  company.  The  company  pressed  on  about 
two-thirds  of  the  way  through  the  swamp  ;  when  Col.  Hinks 
extended  his  skirmishers  to  the  right  of  the  regiment,  and 
advanced  his  whole  command  in  line,  in  face  of  two  reoi- 
ments  of  rebel  infantry,  who  opened  a  fire  on  our  troops. 
Our  skirmishers  engaged  those  of  a  rebel  brigade  on  their 
extreme  right,  and  bore  down  steadily  upon  them,  forcing 
them  to  retreat. 

"  In  this  manner  the  Nineteenth  advanced  through  the 
woods  to  the  extreme  edge  of  the  swamp  ;  and,  entering  a 
clear  field,  they  opened  fire  on  one  rebel  column  advancing, 
and  another  which  opposed  them  in  line.  After  an  engage- 
ment which  lasted  fifteen  minutes,  during  which  the  Nine- 
teenth lost  forty-five  officers  and  men  killed  and  wounded, 
the  rebel  columns  broke  and  fled.  Our  troops  no  sooner 
observed  the  '  skedaddle  '  movement  of  the  rebels  than  they 
burst  out  with  hearty  cheers.  The  Fire  Zouaves  had  three 
or  four  men  wounded,  and  three  cut  off  and  taken  prisoners, 
in  the  skirmish. 

"  Immediately  after  the  dispersion  of  the  enemy  in  front, 
the  rebel  column  on  the  right  broke,  turned  about,  and  fled 
before  the  steady  fire  of  the  Massachusetts  troops,  who  were 
never  in  better  spirits,  or  more  desirous  of  engaging  the 
enemy.  Col.  Hinks  immediately  obliqued  his  ranks,  and 
prepared  to  charge  upon  the  retiring  foe  ;  when  orders  came 
for  him  to  retire.  He  did  not  stop  to  question,  but  marched 
his  regiment  back  to  the  intrenchments,  which  he  reached  at 
eleven  o'clock.  During  this  engagement,  the  First  Massa- 
chusetts Regiment  was  the  second  regiment  on  the  right  of 


182      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

the  Nineteenth  ;  and  the  line  was  composed  mainly  of  Mas- 
sachusetts troops. 

"  On  the  afternoon  of  Wednesday,  the  line  was  again  or- 
dered to  advance,  and  regain  the  ground  which  they  had 
been  ordered  to  abandon  after  taking  it  in  the  morning. 
The  Nineteenth  advanced  again  in  the  same  spirited  man- 
ner as  before,  but  found  the  woods  filled  with  rebels,  who 
had  in  the  mean  time  got  a  battery  in  position  to  rake  our 
troops.  The  position  was  finally  retaken  ;  but,  in  view  of 
the  great  sacrifice  of  life  which  would  follow  an  attempt 
of  the  rebels  to  regain  it,  the  Nineteenth,  in  obedience  to 
orders,  fell  back  to  their  bivouac.  Col.  Hinks  was  compli- 
mented by  Gens.  Sedgwick  and  Dana  for  the  gallant 
conduct  of  himself,  his  officers,  and  men,  their  steadiness 
under  fire,  and  the  success  of  the  undertaking. 

"  The  regiment  remained  in  quarters  till  Friday,  when 
they  commenced  throwing  out  traverses  to  prevent  the 
enemy  from  shelling  them  out  of  the  works  ;  evidences  war- 
ranting the  belief  that  he  was  planting  a  battery  on  their 
flank.  On  Saturday  afternoon,  orders  were  unexpectedly 
received  to  load  the  ambulance  and  wagon  trains  ;  and  all 
the  sick  and  wounded,  as  well  as  the  supplies,  were  promptlv 
loaded,  and  the  trains  started  for  White-oak  Swamp  Bridge 
about  six  o'clock  in  the  evening.  Most  of  the  ordnance  was 
also  removed  ;  some  light  guns  being  retained  to  defend  the 
position  against  the  enemy. 

"  Saturday  night  was  one  of  the  most  distressing  ever 
passed  by  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Nineteenth.  A 
deathly  and  ominous  stillness  reigned  in  front  of  the  Con- 


BATTLE-SCENES.— ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     183 

federate  lines.  Gen.  Dana  and  Col.  Hinks,  not  content  to 
trust  the  tried  sentries  on  duty,  and  apprehensive  of  im- 
pending danger,  went  the  rounds  of  the  earthworks  all 
night. 

"  At  three  o'clock  Sunday  morning,  Col.  Hinks  received 
orders  from  Gen.  McClellan,  through  Gen.  Sumner,  to  re- 
treat ;  and  in  five  minutes  the  regiment  was  on  the  march, 
leaving  nothing  of  value  behind.  All  the  spare  muskets 
were  broken  to  prevent  them  from  falling  into  the  hands 
of  the  enemy  ;  and  all  the  property  that  had  not  been  previ- 
ously removed  was  destroyed.  The  regiment  marched  out 
of  the  works,  and  joined  Gen.  Sedgwick's  division,  which 
was  also  joined  by  Richardson's  division ;  the  two  corps 
constituting  the  rearguard  of  the  centre  of  McClellan's 
army.  The  Nineteenth  retired  to  Orchard  Station,  on  the 
Richmond  and  York-River  Railroad,  where  they  came  into 
line  of  battle  to  resist  the  rebels  who  were  in  pursuit. 
Near  Orchard  Station  were  collected  all  the  spare  gun-car- 
riages and  arms,  ten  days'  rations  for  forty  thousand  troops, 
worth  at  least  one  million  of  dollars,  which  were  destroyed 
by  pouring  upon  them  several  hundred  barrels  of  commis- 
sary whiskey,  and  setting  it  on  fire  as  the  army  retreated. 

"  At  about  nine  o'clock  Sunday  morning,  the  rebels  ap- 
peared with  strong  force  of  infantry  and  artillery,  who  were 
first  engaged  by  French's  brigade  on  the  right  of  the  new 
line  of  battle.  The  enemy  came  down  the  road  leading  to 
Sumner's  Grape-vine  Bridge,  and  received  the  fire  of  our 
artillery  along  the  entire  length  of  the  line.  French's  di- 
vision at  the  same  time  engaged  the  enemy,  and  repulsed 


184         FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

them  with  fearful  slaughter.  The  Nineteenth  were  in  the 
front  line  of  battle,  exposed  to  the  rebel  artillery ;  but, 
throwing  themselves  on  the  ground,  the  regiment  escaped 
with  few  slight  casualties.  No  sooner  were  the  rebels  re- 
pulsed than  orders  were  given  by  Gen.  Sumner  for  the 
troops  to  resume  their  retreat,  and  each  regiment  to  make 
the  best  of  its  way  to  Savage's  Station. 

"  The  Nineteenth  marched  all  day  Sunday,  most  of  the 
time  at  double-quick.  The  heat  was  oppressive  ;  and  fifty 
men  fell  out  of  the  ranks,  and  into  the  hands  of  the  rebels, 
who,  pressing  close  upon  the  retreating  army,  appeared  in 
their  rear  about  four  o'clock,  opening  fire  with  two  thirty- 
two  pounders.  Our  artillery  replied  with  terrific  effect ;  and 
the  heaviest  cannonading  ever  hc-ard  on  the  Peninsula  en- 
sued. The  rebel  artillery  was  silenced  ;  but  the  enemy 
shortly  after  appeared  with  two  guns  on  the  Williamsburg 
Turnpike,  from  which  they  again  opened  fire  on  our  troops. 
Simultaneously  with  the  appearance  of  the  artillery,  an  im- 
mense force  of  infantry  opened  fire  along  the  entire  line  of 
the  wood  in  front  of  the  Federal  position.  Here  occurred 
the  most  desperate  fight  of  the  retreat.  Brooks's  Vermont 
brigade  engaged  the  rebels  in  a  succession  of  splendid 
charges,  capturing  the  guns  on  the  turnpike,  and  driving  the 
rebels  back  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 

"  Immediately  after  this,  our  army  resumed  their  retreat, 
leaving  their  dead  and  wounded  on  the  field.  All  who 
could  walk  crawled  along  with  the  retreating  army  ;  many 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  rebels,  and  many  more  struggled 
into  the  White-oak  Swamp,  where  they  doubtless  perished. 


BATTLE-SCENES.  — ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     185 

The  Federal  army  crossed  the  swamp,  blowing  up  the  bridge, 
and  reached  the  south  side  on  Monday  morning.  From  this 
point,  they  marched  two  and  a  half  miles  to  Charles  City 
Cross  Roads,  where  they  halted  for  wagon  and  ambulance 
trains  to  pass  on. 

"At  five  o'clock  Monday  afternoon,  heavy  musketry 
firing  was  heard  on  the  direct  route  of  the  Federal  army  to 
Turkey  Bend,  giving  evidence  that  the  enemy  had  inter- 
cepted their  line  of  retreat.  The  troops,  weary  from  con- 
tinued fighting  and  from  long  and  forced  inarches,  were  in 
no  condition  to  meet  the  foe  as  they  desired.  They  were 
not,  however,  dismayed,  but  determined  to  stand  boldly  up 
to  the  work  of  driving  back  the  rebels,  who  commenced  an 
attack  on  the  whole  line.  Brigade  after  brigade,  and 
division  after  division,  of  McClellan's  army  went  in,  until 
almost  the  entire  force  was  engaged.  The  fighting  was 
mostly  against  rebel  infantry.  Upon  the  return  of  Dana's 
brigade  from  supporting  Franklin's  division,  the  Nineteenth 
was  intercepted  by  a  rebel  battery,  which  dashed  through 
the  column  from  a  cross-road ;  and,  before  it  reached  the 
body  of  the  brigade,  the  other  regiments  were  more  or  less 
engaged. 

"  Col.  Hinks  advanced  his  command  at  double-quick 
across  an  open  field,  and  into  a  dense  wood,  up  a  steep  hill, 
some  hundred  and  fifty  yards,  against  a  murderous  fire  from 
the  rebel  regiments,  one  a  North-Carolina  regiment.  Re- 
serving their  fire  till  they  came  face  to  face  with  the  enemy 
upon  the  crest  of  the  hill  (not  ten  yards  distant),  his  troops 
delivered  a  volley  into  the  breasts  of  the  rebels,  who  fell 


186      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

back  disordered,  and  fled.  At  the  moment  they  delivered 
their  fire,  the  Nineteenth  received  a  volley  from  our  own 
lines,  from  the  rear,  through  the  two  left  companies.  At 
the  same  time,  the  regiment  was  attacked  by  the  other  rebel 
corps,  which,  from  the  rear  of  his  right  flank,  was  cutting 
them  down  by  a  cross-fire.  Col.  Hinks  ordered  his  men  to 
fall  back  to  the  margin  of  the  wood,  changed  front,  and  ad- 
vanced against  the  enemy.  After  advancing  fifty  yards,  he 
was  met  by  a  heavy  fire,  which  he  returned  with  effect.  It 
was  here  that  the  colonel  received  his  wound ;  and  here 
Major  Howe  fell  mortally  wounded.  Capt.  Wass  was  dis- 
abled by  a  wound ;  and,  Lieut  .-Col.  Devereux  being  sick  in 
the  hospital,  the  command  of  the  regiment  devolved  upon 
Capt.  Edmund  Rice.  Col.  Hinks  is  unable  to  give  a  cor- 
rect estimate  of  the  casualties  of  his  regiment,  but  thinks 
that  he  lost,  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  three  hundred 
and  six  men. 

"  He  had  but  six  hundred  men  when  he  left  Fair  Oaks  ; 
and  the  regiment  now  numbered  from  two  huftdred  and  fifty 
to  three  hundred  effectives.  He  fought  his  regiment  till  he 
had  fewer  officers  than  companies,  made  two  bayonet 
charges,  and  led  on  his  troops  till  he  was  wounded,  and 
borne  from  the  field.  He  was  saved  from  capture  by  the 
heroic  conduct  of  Sergeant  McGinnis,  Corporal  Young,  and 
several  privates  of  Company  A,  who  carried  him  on  a  litter 
seven  miles,  through  the  woods,  to  a  place  of  safety.  His 
deeds  and  that  of  his  gallant  regiment  carry  their  own 
praise  with  them." 

That  our  men  fought  bravely,  we  of  the  North  do  not 


BATTLE-SCENES.  —  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     187 

doubt ;  that  they  deserve  praise  as  soldiers,  in  every  par- 
ticular, Gen.  Cluscret,  a  French  officer  in  the  United-States 
service,  thought;  for  he  wrote  to  the  Paris  "Pays"  as 
follows  :  — 

"  After  two  months  of  campaign  and  sufferings  such  as  I 
never  endured  even  in  the  Crimean  War,  where  we  never 
were  in  want  of  food,  nor  exhausted  by  long  marches,  I  can 
speak  to  you  knowingly  of  the  American  soldier.  During 
all  that  time,  we  have  been  marching  night  and  day,  often- 
times without  bread,  with  half  of  our  men  shoeless,  exposed 
to  a  chilly  rain,  without  shelter,  tent,  or  village.  We  have 
thus  walked  between  one  hundred  and  fifty  and  two  hun- 
dred miles.  But  that  which,  in  my  estimation,  makes  the 
American  soldier  the  first  in  the  world,  the  equal  of  the 
French  soldier,  is,  that  I  never  heard  him  utter  a  complaint 
or  grumble.  I  never  was  compelled  to  inflict  a  punish- 
ment upon  him.  When  I  ordered  a  straggler  to  fall  in, 
he  used  to  show  me  his  naked  feet,  and  hurry  on  as  much 
as  he  could.  I  have  but  a  word  to  express  my  opinion  of 
the  American  soldier :  he  is  an  admirable  soldier.  He 
adds  to  the  qualities  of  the  French  a  patience  and  a  resig- 
nation which  I  did  not  think  it  possible  for  a  soldier  to 
acquire." 

So  long  was  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  at  one  time  in  a 
state  of  quiescence,  that  the  phrase,  "  all  quiet  along  the 
Potomac,"  became  stereotyped,  as  it  were.  Yet  though  no 
decisive  battles,  or  skirmishes  worthy  the  name,  occurred, 
the  faithful  pickets  were  often  shot  at  their  posts.  Some 
poet  has  thus  immortalized  — 


188       FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

THE  PICKET-GUARD. 

"  All  quiet  along  the  Potomac,"  they  say, 

Except  now  and  then  a  stray  picket 
Is  shot,  as  he  walks  on  his  beat  to  and  fro, 

By  a  rifleman  hid  in  the  thicket. 
'Tis  nothing :  a  private  or  two  now  and  then 

Will  not  count  in  the  news  of  the  battle ; 
Not  an  officer  lost,  —  only  one  of  the  men 

Moaning  out  all  alone  the  death-rattle. 

All  quiet  along  the  Potomac  to-night 

Where  the  soldiers  lie  peacefully  dreaming ; 
Their  tents  in  the  rays  of  the  clear  autumn  moon, 

Or  the  light  of  the  watch-fire,  gleaming. 
A  tremulous  sigh,  as  the  gentle  night-wind 

Through  the  forest-leaves  softly  is  creeping; 
While  stars  up  above,  with  their  glittering  eyes, 

Keep  guard ;  for  the  army  is  sleeping. 

There's  only  the  sound  of  the  lone  sentry's  tread 

As  he  tramps  from  the  rock  to  the  fountain, 
And  thinks  of  the  two,  in  the  low  trundle-bed, 

Far  away  in  the  cot  on  the  mountain. 
His  musket  falls  slack ;  his  face,  dark  and  grim, 

Grows  gentle  with  memories  tender ; 
And  he  mutters  a  prayer  for  the  children  asleep, 

For  their  mother,  —  may  Heaven  defend  her ! 

The  moon  seems  to  shine  just  as  brightly  as  then, 
That  night,  when  the  love  yet  unspoken 

Leaped  up  to  his  lips,  when  love-murmured  vows 
Were  pledged  to  be  ever  unbroken. 


BATTLE-SCENES. — ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     189 

Then,  drawing  his  sleeves  roughly  over  his  eyes, 

He  dashes  off  tears  that  are  welling, 
And  gathers  his  gun  closer  up  to  its  place, 

As  if  to  keep  down  the  heart-swelling. 

He  passes  the  fountain,  the  blasted  pine-tree ; 

The  footstep  is  lagging  and  weary : 
Yet  onward  he  goes,  through  the  broad  belt  of  light, 

Toward  the  shade  of  the  forest  so  dreary. 
Hark !  was  it  the  night-wind  that  rustled  the  leaves  ? 

Was  it  moonlight  so  wondrously  flashing  ? 
It  looked  like  a  rifle !    "  Ha !  Mary,  good-by  ! " 

And  the  life-blood  is  ebbing  and  plashing. 

All  quiet  along  the  Potomac  to-night ; 

No  sound  save  the  rush  of  the  river ; 
While  soft  falls  the  dew  on  the  face  of  the  dead : 

The  picket's  off  duty  forever. 

During  the  advance  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  south 
of  the  Rapidan,  on  those  very  cold  nights,  the  troops  and 
guards  suffered  terribly.  Several  had  limbs  frost-bitten, 
and  one  man  in  the  second  corps  froze  to  death  while  on 
picket-duty.  Capt.  G.  S.  Burnham  thus  wrote  of  the  in- 
cident, entitling  his  poem  — 

DEAD,  — EN  BIVOUAC. 

By  the  margin  of  the  river, 

'Midst  the  plunging  snow  and  sleet, 

On  the  picket-post  they  shiver, 
As  they  pace  their  lonely  beat. 


190       FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

Of  the  loved  one  calmly  sleeping, 

Safe  from  cold,  alarm,  or  fight, 
They  are  thinking,  whilst  they're  keeping 

"  Watch-in-watch  "  this  bitter  night. 

Near  the  Rapid  Ann  we  rested, 

After  weeks  and  months  of  toil, 
(Faith  and  valor  meanwhile  tested,) 

On  Virginia's  "  sacred  soil." 
By  the  lonely  weird  camp-fire, 

Hard  upon  the  foeman's  track, 
Mid  the  gloom  and  dampness  dire, 

We  lay  down  en  bivouac. 

All  is  well ! "  the  sentry  uttered 

Far  away  upon  the  right ; 
'  All  is  well ! "  the  centre  muttered ; 

Then  the  left.     'Twas  dead  of  night. 
Still  the  storm  was  fiercely  raging  ; 

Bitter  blasts  came  down  the  vale 
And  the  elements  were  waging 

Ruthless  war  amid  that  gale. 

But  the  sentinels  kept  pacing,  — 

Pacing  up  and  down  their  track  ; 
While  the  Storm-King  still  kept  tracing 

Snowy  ridges  front  and  back. 
Ah  !  that  air  was  deathly  frigid, 

And  the  sleet  came  tempest-tost ; 
But  the  orders  out  were  rigid,  — 

"  Not  a  man  must  quit  his  post." 


BATTLE-SCENES.  — ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     191 

For  in  front  (we'd  had  the  warning), 

Massed  in  force,  the  rebels  lay  ; 
Yet  we  looked  for,  prayed  for,  morning, 

Though  't  should  prove  our  final  day ! 
Hours  passed.     One  watcher,  weary, 

Faltered,  halted,  breathed  a  moan ; 
Then,  amidst  the  darkness  dreary, 

Failed,  and  sank  to  earth,  alone. 

When  the  gray  light  broke  at  dawning, 

Calm,  beneath  a  friendly  tree, 
Blanched  and  still  lay  Harry  Corning  1 

Sleeping  on  his  post  was  he  ? 
Surely  no  !     A  soldier  braver 

Never  met  or  charged  the  foe  : 
Such  true  hearts  are  few ;  and  never 

Could  he  fail  in  duty  so  ! 

"  Forward  !  "  came  the  word.    We  lifted 

Quickly  up  his  stiffened  form  : 
Round  it  wreaths  of  snow  had  drifted ; 

But  his  heart  no  more  was  warm. 
He  had  frozen  dead  on  picket : 

Dreadful  fate  was  this,  alack  ! 
And  we  laid  him  'neath  the  thicket 

Where  he  died  en  bivouac, 

Hear  "Carleton's"  testimony  to  the  bravery  of  our  men 
in  that  great  battle  before  Richmond  :  — 

"  MASSACHUSETTS  TROOPS.  —  Gentlemen  testify  to  the 
bravery  and  valor  of  the  Massachusetts  troops.     The  Nine- 


192       FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

teenth,  Col.  Kinks,  in  the  fight  on  Monday,  behaved  with  un- 
paralleled bravery.  Col.  Hinks  and  Lieut.-Col.  Devereux 
were  wounded,  and  Major  Howe  killed ;  also  a  large 
number  of  captains  and  lieutenants  were  either  killed  or 
wounded.  Notwithstanding  this  terrible  decimation,  it 
never  wavered,  never  flinched,  but  stood  to  the  last,  and 
joined  in  that  last  onset  which  sent  the  rebels  back  to  Rich- 
mond, defeated,  routed.  The  same  may  be  said  of  the 
Sixteenth,  Col.  Wyman  ;  and  of  the  Ninth,  Col.  Cass.  The 
Ninth,  was  terribly  cut  up  on  Friday ;  but  on  Monday  it 
was  as  ready  as  ever  to  engage  in  the  conflict.  I  have  no 
high-sounding  panegyric  for  their  bravery,  their  cool,  steady 
conduct,  their  unswerving  obedience  to  orders.  Simple  words 
are  best.  They  covered  themselves  with  glory ;  they  sus- 
tained their  mother's  honor.  The  living  and  the  lost  alike 
did  their  duty. 

"  And  so  the  sons  of  Maine,  New  Hampshire,  Vermont, 
and  Ehode  Island.  Connecticut,  I  believe,  had  not  the 
honor  of  being  there.  It  was  Vermont,  under  Gen.  Smith, 
which  poured  upon  the  enemy's  flank  with  such  terrible 
effect  on  Sunday. 

"  Waterloo  nor  Borodino  saw  no  braver  fighting.  The 
men  of  this  generation  are  not  degenerated  in  physical 
vigor,  heroism,  or  courage.  Civilization,  long  years  of 
prosperity,  of  commercial  transactions,  have  not  dwarfed 
us.  After  a  half-century  of  peace,  we  are  still  great-hearted 
in  war,  not  for  love  of  glory,  not  for  conquest,  —  we  are 
not  intermeddlers  in  the  affairs  of  other  nations,  like  the 
foreign  monarchies,  — but  to  preserve  the  garnered  wealth  of 


BATTLE-SCENES.  — ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     193 

ages  ;  to  save  liberty  ;  to  hand  down  to  all  who  shall  follow 
us  a  priceless  boon,  bought  with  blood,  like  the  gift  of  the 
Son  of  God.  It  is  this  which  makes  men  great  in  this  strife  ; 
which  makes  this  a  holy  war  ;  and  which,  through  all  coming 
time,  will  keep  forever  green  the  graves  of  the  fallen,  and 
forever  blessed  their  memory." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  "  Carleton's  "  description 
of  one  of  the  days  of  the  battle,  when  victory,  for  the  mo- 
ment, hovered  over  our  beloved  banner  :  — 

"  Early  in  the  afternoon,  the  enemy  in  strong  force  ap- 
peared, opening  with  artillery,  and  advancing  division  after 
division  of  infantry  in  solid  masses.  We  resisted  bravely, 
but  were  compelled  to  fall  back  to  a  new  position.  The 
enemy  followed,  employing  his  old  tactics  of  hurling  masses 
of  men,  now  upon  the  right,  now  upon  the  left,  and  now 
suddenly  in  the  centre.  We  held  our  ground  unaided  till  six 
o'clock.  Our  ranks  were  terribly  thinned,  and  we  were 
compelled  to  bring  up  McCall  once  more.  Our  division 
had  been  in  nearly  all  the  fights ;  it  was  worn  out :  but, 
with  hearts  as  true  as  steel,  we  responded  to  the  order.  Si- 
multaneously upon  our  advance  came  fresh  troops  from 
Richmond ;  and  loud  and  terrific  as  at  any  time  during  the 
six-days'  fighting  roared  the  contest.  But  the  masses  of 
the  enemy  rolled  along  the  road.  Their  leaders  had  no  care 
for  saving  life.  This  was  war,  —  a  strife  for  mastery.  It 
was  their  determination  to  win,  no  matter  what  it  cost. 
They  rushed  on  impetuously,  charged  upon  our  batteries, 
captured  Bendall's,  and  took  a  large  number  of  prisoners. 


194      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

Here  the  brave  and  efficient  commander  of  the  corps,  Gen. 
McCall,  went  down  at  the  head  of  hig  troops,  supposed  to 
be  badly  wounded.  A  score  of  officers  fell ;  the  lines  gave 
way :  it  was  a  critical  moment.  Now  or  never  was  brave 
work  to  be  done  ;  now  or  never  was  the  army  to  be  saved. 
All  hearts  felt  it ;  all  hands  were  ready.  Men  lived  ages 
in  those  moments.  Oh !  you  who  live  far  away  among 
peaceful  valleys,  on  sunny  hillsides,  with  smiling  children  at 
your  feet,  reading  this  tame  account,  cannot  know  the  thrill 
which  brave  men  feel  when  the  heart  wells  up  from  its 
inmost  depths  to  dare  all,  to  do  all  that  God  has  given,  to 
save  defeat.  Untutored  men  look  with  clearest  visions  in 
such  moments  down  the  future  ages.  They  see,  they  feel, 
that  uncounted  millions  are-  beckoning  them  to  do  their 
duty  now.  They  are  great  moments  ! 

"  Sedgwick  came  ;  Hooker  and  Kearney  came,  — Hooker 
with  the  Second  New-Hampshire,  and  First  and  Eleventh 
Massachusetts  ;  Kearney  with  the  life-blood  of  New  Jersey  : 
brave  men,  all  of  them.  They  rallied  for  a  desperate  charge  ; 
one  which  has  determination  in  it ;  when  every  man  feels 
that  he  stands  at  the  gateway  of  centuries,  as  Leonidas 
stood  at  Thermopylae.  Twenty-four  cannon  additional  were 
brought  up.  The  united  divisions,  firm  and  unyielding  as 
the  grauite  of  their  native  mountains,  moved  to  the  charge, 
'  Onward,  right  onward  ! '  unheeding  death  or  life.  They 
came  upon  the  enemy  like  a  thunderbolt ;  bore  down  the 
living  masses  in  front  as  if  they  were  automatons  ;  sent  them 
flying  over  the  field  ;  and  captured  twelve  pieces  of  artillery, 


BATTLE-SCENES.— ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     195 

one  brigade,  including  three  regiments  ;  also  Col.  Pendleton 
of  the  Louisiana  battalion,  and  Ex-Congressman  Larnar  of 
the  First  Georgia  Regiment. 

"  It  was  the  finale.  The  enemy  was  defeated  at  last.  He 
had  come  on  with  high  hopes :  he  retired  discomfited.  It 
was  a  brilliant  victory :  it  inspirited  our  troops.  Here  let 
me  speak  of  the  influence  of  music.  While  the  fight  was 
going  on,  Gen.  Morell  ordered  the  bands  to  play.  For  a 
month  they  have  been  silent,  under  orders.  They  gave 
'Yankee  Doodle,'  the  'Star-spangled  Banner,'  and  'Hail 
Columbia.'  It  was  like  bread  to  a  hungry  man.  The  troops 
felt  the  soul-stirring  strains,  and  forgot  that  they  were  tired, 
hungry,  exhausted,  and  ready  to  faint." 

But  these  chapters  cannot  contain  a  complete  record  of  all 
the  battles  fought,  nor  even  allusions  to  them  all.  It  is  said 
that  "  the  number  of  battles  fought  during  the  late  war  is 
two  hundred  and  fifty-two.  Of  these  the  soil  of  Virginia 
drank  the  blood  of  eighty-nine  ;  Tennessee  witnessed  thirty- 
seven  ;  Missouri,  twenty-five  ;  Georgia,  twelve  ;  South  Caro- 
lina, ten  ;  North  Carolina,  eleven  ;  Alabama,  seven  ;  Florida, 
five ;  Kentucky,  fourteen  ;  the  Indian  Territory  and  New 
Mexico,  one  each.  Once  the  wave  of  war  rolled  into  a 
Northern  State,  and  broke  in  the  great  billow  of  Gettysburg. 
Of  the  battles  enumerated,  sixteen  were  naval  achieve- 
ments." 

Of  one  of  these,  fought  in  1864,  the  following  is  an  in- 
cident which  was  narrated  by  a  correspondent  of  the  "New- 
York  Tribune,"  and  versified  by  George  H.  Boker :  — 


196       FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON, 

IN  THE  WILDERNESS, 

MAY  7,  1864. 

Mangled,  uncared  for,  suffering,  through  the  night, 
With  heavenly  patience  the  poor  boy  had  lain : 
Under  the  dreary  shadows,  left  and  right, 

Groaned  on  the  wounded,  stiffened  out  the  slain. 
What  faith  sustained  his  lone 
Brave  heart  to  make  no  moan, 
To  send  no  cry  from  that  blood-sprinkled  sod, 
Is  a  close  mystery  with  him  and  God. 

But  when  the  light  came,  aijd  the  morning  dew 

Glittered  around  him  like  a  golden  lake, 
And  every  dripping  flower  with  deepened  hue 
Looked  through  its  tears  for  very  pity's  sake, 
He  moved  his  aching  head 
Upon  its  rugged  bed, 
And  smiled,  as  a  blue  violet,  virgin  meek, 
Laid  her  pure  kiss  upon  his  withered  cheek. 

At  once  there  circled  in  his  waking  heart 

A  thousand  memories  of  distant  home,  — 
Of  how  those  same  blue  violets  would  start 
Along  his  native  fields  ;  and  some  would  roam 
Down  his  dear  humming  brooks, 
To  hide  in  secret  nooks, 
And,  shyly  met,  in  nodding  circles  swing, 
Like  gossips  murmuring  at  belated  Spring. 


BATTLE-SCENES.  —  Alt  MY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     197 

And  then  he  thought  of  the  beloved  hands 

That  with  his  own  had  plucked  the  modest  flower ; 
The  blue-eyed  maiden,  crowned  with  golden  bands, 
Who  ruled  as  sovereign  of  that  sunny  hour,  — 
She  at  whose  soft  command 
He  joined  the  mustering  band  ; 
She  for  whose  sake  he  lay  so  firm  and  still, 
Despite  his  pangs,  nor  questioned  then  her  will. 

So,  lost  in  thought,  scarce  conscious  of  the  deed, 

Culling  the  violets,  here  and  there  he  crept 
Slowly,  ah  !  slowly ;  for  his  wound  would  bleed  : 
And  the  sweet  flowers  themselves  half  smiled,  half  wept, 
To  be  thus  gathered  in 
By  hands  so  pale  and  thin, 
By  fingers  trembling  as  they  neatly  laid 
Stem  upon  stem,  and  bound  them  in  a  braid. 

The  strangest  posy  ever  fashioned  yet 

Was  clasped  against  the  bosom  of  the  lad, 
As  we,  the  seekers  for  the  wounded,  set 

His  form  upon  our  shoulders,  bowed  and  sad ; 
Though  he  but  seemed  to  think 
How  violets  nod  and  wink  : 
And  as  we  cheered  him,  for  the  path  was  wild, 
He  only  looked  upon  his  flowers,  and  smiled. 

One  of  the  brilliant  exploits  of  the  war  was  the  cavalry 
reconnoissance  of  Fredericksburg  by  Capt.  Dahlgren  and 
fifty-seven  men  of  the  First  Indiana  and  a  portion  of  the 
Third  Ohio  Regiments.  The  following  is  an  extract  from 
"  Carleton's  "  letter  describing  the  exploit :  — 


198      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

"  The  enemy  was  partly  in  saddle.  There  was  a  hurry- 
in<*  to  and  fro,  mounting  of  steeds,  confusion,  and  fright 
among  the  people.  The  rebel  cavalry  were  in  every  street. 
Capt.  Dahlgren  resolved  to  fall  upon  them  like  a  thunder- 
bolt. Increasing  his  trot  to  a  gallop,  the  fifty-seven  daunt- 
less men  dashed  into  town,  cheering,  with  sabres  glittering 
in  the  sun,  riding  recklessly  upon  the  enemy,  who  waited 
but  a  moment  in  the  main  street,  then  ignominiously  fled. 
Having  cleared  the  main  thoroughfare,  Capt.  Dahlgren 
swept  through  a  cross-street  upon  another  squadron  with  the 
same  success.  There  was  a  trampling  of  hoofs,  a  clattering 
of  scabbards,  and  the  sharp  ringing  cut  of  the  sabres,  the 
pistol  flash,  the  going-down  of  horsemen  and  rider,  the 
gory  gashes  of  the  sabre-stroke-^  a  cheering  and  hurrahing, 
and  screaming  of  frightened  women  and  children,  a  short, 
sharp,  decisive  contest,  and  the  town  was  in  the  possession  of 
the  gallant  men.  Once  the  rebels  attempted  to  recover  what 
they  had  lost :  but  a  second  impetuous  charge  drove  them 
back  again,  and  Capt.  Dahlgren  gathered  the  fruits  of  the  vic- 
tory, —  thirty-one  prisoners,  horses,  accoutrements,  sabres  ; 
held  possession  of  the  town  for  three  hours  ;  and  retired,  los- 
ing but  one  of  his  glorious  band  killed  and  two  wounded, 
leaving  a  dozen  of  the  enemy  killed  and  wounded.  I  would 
like  to  give  the  names  of  these  heroes  if  I  had  them.  The 
one  brave  fellow  who  lost  his  life  had  fought  through  all 
the  conflict ;  but,  seeing  a  large  rebel  flag  waving  from  a  build- 
ing, he  secured  it,  wrapped  it  around  his  body,  and  was  re- 
turning to  his  command,  when  a  fatal  shot  was  fired  from  a 
window,  probably  by  a  citizen.  He  was  brought  to  the 


BATTLE-SCENES. — ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     199 

northern  shore,  and  there  buried  by  his  fellow-soldiers  be- 
neath the  forest  pines.  Capt.  Carr,  of  Company  B,  encoun- 
tered a  rebel  officer,  and  ran  his  sabre  through  the  body  of 
his  enemy.  Orderly  Fitter  had  a  hand-to-hand  struggle 
with  a  rebel  soldier,  and,  by  a  dexterous  blow,  struck  him 
from  his  horse,  inflicting  a  severe  wound  upon  the  head. 
He  seized  the  fellow's  horse,  a  splendid  animal,  his  carabine 
and  sabre.  His  own  sabre  still  bears  the  blood-stains,  — 
not  a  pleasant  sight,  but  yet  in  keeping  with  war. 

"  It  thrills  one  to  look  at  it,  to  hear  the  story,  to  picture 
the  encounter,  —  the  wild  dash,  the  sweep  like  a  whirlwind, 
the  cheers,  the  rout  of  the  enemy,  their  confusion,  the 
victory  !  —  victory  not  for  personal  glory  nor  for  ambition, 
but  for  a  beloved  country ;  for  that  which  is  dearer  than 
life, — the  thanks  of  the  living,  the  gratitude  of  unnumbered 
millions  yet  to  be !  Brave  sons  of  the  West,  this  is  your 
glory  ;  this  your  reward  !  No  exploit  of  the  war  equals  it. 
It  will  go  down  to  history  as  one  of  the  bravest  achievements 
on  record." 

In  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek,  the  Thirty-fourth  Massa- 
chusetts behaved  gallantly.  It  was  the  only  regiment 
which  did  not  break  in  the  panic  with  which  the  day  opened. 
Gen.  Sheridan  honored  the  regiment  by  calling  for  three 
cheers  in  their  behalf. 

The  following  lines  *  commemorate  their  valor.  Allu- 
sions are  made  to  their  general,  Wells,  who  fell  at  the  head 
of  his  regiment,  which  he  had  himself  organized.  When 
he  was  at  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run,  he  was  lieutenant- 

*  By  Mary  Webb,  in  the  Salem  Gazette. 


200         FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

colonel  of  the  First  Massachusetts.  He  approached  the 
batteries,  and  took  up  the  musket  of  a  disabled  soldier.  At 
the  second  battle,  his  regiment  covered  the  retreat. 

THE  MASSACHUSETTS   THIRTY-FOURTH. 

They're  standing  firm  in  swerveless  lines 

That  meet  the  battle  shock, 
As  ocean's  furious  charge  is  met 

By  the  resisting  rock. 

Two  hundred  men  !  — the  ranks  around 

Breaking  in  wild  dismay,  — 
Two  hundred  men,  alone,  to  quell 

Lee's  ruffian  chivalry ! 

Two  hundred  men  against  the  odds 

Of  that  disastrous  fray, 
Before  our  untamed  eagle  looks 

Into  the  eye  of  day  ! 

Around  the  regimental  flag, 

Where  thickest  volleys  pour, 
The  loyal-hearted  closer  press, 

As  if  he  rode  before, 

The  echo  of  whose  rallying  cheer, 

Scarce  yet  a  vanished  tone, 
Haunts  the  proud-battle  steeps  from  whence 

"  His  soul  is  marching  on." 


BATTLE-SCENES.— ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     201 

White  as  the  plume  crest  of  Navarre 

Flashes  his  beckoning  fame  ; 
While,  side  by  side,  they're  keeping  step 

To  the  music  of  his  name. 

O  Mother  State  !  behold  with  pride 

The  line  that  will  not  break ; 
Braid  chaplets  not  unwet  with  tears, 

For  their  late  leader's  sake,  — 

He  who,  in  earlier,  darker  days, 

At  once  was  sword  and  shield ; 
Who  even  now,  in  shadowy  form, 

Seems  master  of  the  field. 


So  was  our  challenged  honor  held, 

'Till  through  the  valley  rang 
The  bugle-blast  which  sounded  out 

The  charge  of  Sheridan  ! 

There  were  raids  of  pluck,  dash,  and  romantic  inci- 
dents, in  connection  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  which 
deserve  to  live  in  song  and  story  along  with  the  charge  of 
Balaklava,  when 

"  Into  the  mouth  of  hell 
Rode  the  six  hundred." 

Gen.  Stoneman's,  Col.  Kilpatrick's,  and  other  raids,  were 
made  with  great  success.  The  rebels  in  their  advance  often 
met  with  patriotic  resistance,  even  from  loyal  men  "  single- 
handed  and  alone." 


202      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

"  Near  Hancock,  an  old  farmer  had  some  fine  horses. 
The  rebels  undertook  to  seize  them.  He  loved  the  animals 
he  had  raised  as  he  did  his  life.  He  was  determined  not  to 
be  robbed.  He  informed  the  rebels  that  he  would  shoot  the 
man  who  should  attempt  to  take  them.  Laughing  at  his  bold 
words,  the  attempt  was  made.  The  heroic  old  man  was  true 
to  his  word.  He  killed  two  and  wounded  three  others 
before  they  killed  him." 

But  the  limits  of  this  chapter  forbid  allusion  to  other 
raids  or  battles  than  those  of  Fredericksburg  and  Gettys- 
burg, and  brief  sketches  of  the  closing  scenes  of  war  in  our 
land,  when  Richmond  at  last  fell  into  the  hands  of  its  law- 
ful owners,  and  negro  soldiers  bore  the  banner  of  our  coun- 
try in  triumph  along  its  streets. 

It  was  determined  that  the  army  should  cross  the  river, 
and  occupy  Fredericksburg.  Pontoon-bridges  were  accord- 
ingly commenced.  But  this  did  not  please  the  rebels  ;  and 
their  sharpshooters  picked  off  the  engineers  so  fast,  that 
finally  it  was  deemed  necessary  to  shell  the  town. 

"  At  ten  o'clock,  Gen.  Burnside  gives  the  order, '  Concen- 
trate the  fire  of  all  your  guns  on  the  city,  and  batter  it 
down ! '  The  artillery  of  the  right,  eight  batteries,  was 
commanded  by  Col.  Hays ;  Col.  Tompkins,  right  centre, 
eleven  batteries ;  Col.  Tyler,  left  centre,  seven  batteries ; 
Capt.  de  Russy,  left,  nine  batteries.  In  a  few  moments, 
these  thirty-five  batteries,  forming  a  total  of  one  hundred 
and  seventy-nine  guns,  ranging  from  ten-pounder  Parrotts  to 
four  and  a  half  inch  siege-guns,  posted  along  the  convex 
side  of  the  arc  of  the  circle  formed  by  the  bend  of  the 


BATTLE-SCENES,  —  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     203 

river  and  land  opposite  Fredericksburg,  opened  on  the 
doomed  city.  For  a  time,  the  roar  is  indescribably  awful. 
The  city  from  its  walls  of  brick  hurls  back  a  thousand 
echoes,  which  beat  up  against  the  Falmouth  Bluff,  roll  back 
again  beyond  the  town,  and  then,  from  the  distant  hills,  once 
more  swell  over  to  us,  as  though  the  heavens  were  rent 
asunder.  At  Gen.  Sumner's  headquarters,  half  a  mile  dis- 
tant, it  becomes  difficult  to  converse  in  a  low  tone  ;  while,  at 
the  batteries,  orders  must  be  signalled.  By  and  by  the  firing 
ceases,  and  one  is  almost  awe-stricken  with  the  profound 
silence.  The  mist  still  clings  to  the  river,  the  sun  struggles 
up  red  and  fiery,  and  the  air  is  suffocating  with  the  odor  of 
gunpowder.  Presently  the  bank  of  fog  begins  to  lift  a  little  ; 
the  glistening  roofs  gleam  faintly  through  the  veil :  then  the 
sunbeams  scatter  the  clouds  that  intervene  ;  and  Fredericks- 
burg,  utterly  desolate,  stands  out  before.  A  huge  column 
of  dense  black  smoke  towers  like  a  monument  above  the 
livid  flames  that  leap  and  hiss  and  crackle,  licking  up  the 
snow  upon  the  roofs  with  lambent  tongues,  and  stretching 
like  a  giant.  The  guns  renew  their  roar  ;  and  we  see  the 
solid  shot  plunge  through  the  masonry  as  though  it  were 
pasteboard.  Other  buildings  are  fired  ;  and  before  sundown  a 
score  of  houses  are  in  ashes,  while  not  one  seems  to  have 
escaped  the  pitiless  storm  of  iron.  A  less  number  have 
been  fired  than  was  anticipated ;  but  the  damage  done  by 
solid  shot  is  terrible,  and  will  require  years  to  repair. 

"  During  the  thick  of  the  bombardment,  a  fresh  attempt 
had  been  made  to  complete  the  bridge.  It  failed  ;  and  evi- 
dently nothing  could  be  done  till  a  party  could  be  thrown 


204      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

over  to  clean  out  the  rebels  and  cover  the  bridge  head.  For 
this  mission.  Gen.  Burnside  called  for  volunteers  ;  and  Col. 
Hall,  of  Fort-Sumter  fame,  immediately  responded,  that  he 
had  a  brigade  that  would  do  the  business.  Accordingly,  the 
Seventh  Michigan  and  Nineteenth  and  Twentieth  Massa- 
chusetts, two  small  regiments,  numbering  in  all  about  four 
hundred  men,  were  selected  for  the  purpose. 

"  The  plan  was,  that  they  should  take  the  pontoon-boats 
of  the  first  bridge,  of  which  there  were  ten  lying  on  the 
bank  of  the  river,  waiting  to  be  added  to  the  half-finished 
bridge,  cross  over  in  them,  and,  landing,  drive  out  the 
rebels. 

"  Nothing  could  be  more  admirable  or  more  gallant  than 
the  execution  of  this  daring  feat.  Rushing  down  the  steep 
banks  of  the  river,  the  party  fou^d  temporary  shelter  behind 
the  pontoon-boats  lying  scattered  on  the  bank,  and  behind 
piles  of  planking  destined  for  the  covering  of  the  bridge, 
behind  rocks,  &c.  In  this  situation,  they  acted  some  fifteen 
or  twenty  minutes  as  sharpshooters  ;  they  and  the  rebels  ob- 
serving each  other.  In  the  mean  time,  new  and  vigorous 
artillery  firing  was  commenced  on  our  part ;  and,  just  as 
soon  as  this  was  fairly  developed,  the  Seventh  Michigan 
arose  from  their  crouching-places,  rushed  for  the  pontoon- 
boats,  and,  pushing  them  into  the  water,  rapidly  filled  them 
with  twenty-five  or  thirty  each. 

"  The  first  boat  pushes  off.  Now,  if  ever,  is  the  rebels' 
opportunity.  Crack,  crack,  crack,  from  fifty  lurking 
places,  go  rebel  rifles  at  the  gallant  fellows,  who,  stooping 
low  in  the  boat,  seek  to  avoid  the  fire.  The  murderous 


BATTLE-SCENES. — ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.      205 

work  was  well  done.  Lustily,  however,  pull  the  oarsmen  ; 
and  presently,  having  passed  the  middle  of  the  stream,  the 
boat  and  its  gallant  freight  come  under  cover  of  the  oppo- 
site bluffs. 

"  Another  and  another  boat  follows.  Now  is  their  oppor- 
tunity. Nothing  could  be  more  amusing  in  its  way  than 
the  result.  Instantly  they  see  a  new  turn  of  affairs.  The 
rebels  pop  up  by  the  hundred,  like  so  many  rats,  from  every 
cellar,  rifle-pit,  and  stone  wall,  and  scamper  off  up  the 
streets  of  the  town.  With  all  their  fleetness,  however, 
many  of  them  were  much  "too  slow.  With  incredible 
rapidity,  the  Michigan  and  Massachusetts  boys  sweep  up 
the  hill,  making  a  rush  for  the  lurking-places  occupied  by  the 
rebels,  and  gaining  them ;  each  man  capturing  his  two  or 
three  prisoners.  The  pontoon-boats,  on  their  return  trip, 
took  over  more  than  a  hundred  of  these  fellows. 

"  You  can  imagine  with  what  intense  interest  the  cross- 
ing of  the  first  boatload  of  our  men  was  watched  by  the 
numerous  spectators  on  the  shore,  and  with  what  enthusias- 
tic shouts  their  landing  on  the  opposite  side  was  greeted.  It 
was  an  authentic  piece  of  human  heroism,  which  moves 
men  as  nothing  else  can.  The  problem  was  solved.  This 
flash  of  bravery  had  done  what  scores  of  batteries  and  tons 
of  metal  had  failed  to  accomplish.  The  country  will  not 
forget  that  little  band. 

"  The  party  once  across,  and  the  rebels  cleaned  out,  it 
took  the  engineers  but  a  brief  period  to  complete  the  bridge. 
They  laid  hold  with  a  will,  plunging  waist-deep  into  the 
water,  and  working  as  men  work  who  are  under  inspiration. 


206      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

In  less  than  half  an  hour,  the  bridge  was  completed  ;  and  the 
head  of  the  column  of  the  right  grand  division,  consisting 
of  Gen.  Howard's  command,  was  moving  upon  it  over  the 
Rappahanuock.  A  feeble  attempt  from  the  rebel  batteries 
was  made  to  shell  the  troops  in  crossing ;  but  it  failed  com- 
pletely." 

"  Carleton "  thus  describes  the  bombardment  and  street- 
fight  :  — 

"  I  am  informed,  that,  when  Sumner  made  his  demand 
two  Aveeks  ago  for  its  surrender,  the  ladies  of  the  place  begged 
Lee  not  to  surrender  it.  If  so,  they  have  met  with  a  ter- 
rible retribution.  The  place  is  sacked,  completely  gutted. 
I  do  not  believe  there  is  a  house  which  has  not  been  ran- 
sacked from  cellar  to  attic  by  the  soldiers.  The  tremendous 
storm  of  iron  hurled  upon  it  has  knocked  it  pretty  nearly  to 
pieces.  Four  or  five  buildings  were  burned ;  and  the  rest 
will  need  a  great  deal  of  joiners'  and  plasterers'  work  to 
restore  them  to  their  former  excellence.  One  hundred  and 
seventy  pieces  of  artillery  were  at  one  time  playing  upon 
the  town  ;  and,  strange  to  say,  there  were  but  two  or  three 
casualties,  although  there  were  a  large  number  of  women 
and  children  in  the  place  who  sought  refuge  in  the  cellars. 
One  citizen  displayed  great  bravery  when  the  bombardment 
was  heaviest,  and  his  house  in  danger  of  being  burned.  He 
drew  water  from  a  well,  and  saved  his  dwelling,  though  hit 
several  times  by  pieces  of  brick  torn  from  the  walls  by  pass- 
ing shot. 

"  It  was  about  dark  before  Gen.  Howard  was  ready  to 
push  his  troops  into  the  streets.  The  rebel  sharpshooters 


BATTLE-SCENES. — ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     207 

were  concealed  in  the  houses,  and  poured  rattling  volleys 
upon  the  advancing  columns.  The  Twentieth  Massachu- 
setts went  up  the  principal  street  from  the  bridge,  and  met 
with  great  opposition.  The  houses  blazed  with  musketry  ; 
but  nothing  could  withstand  their  impetuosity.  They  ad- 
vanced to  the  houses,  broke  open  the  doors,  and  bayonetted 
all  who  resisted.  The  Fifty-ninth  New  York  joined  them. 
The  Nineteenth  Massachusetts  went  up  another  street ; 
and  for  two  hours  there  was  a  continuous  crack  of  rifles  and 
muskets.  The  brigade  cleared  three  or  four  streets,  and 
then  rested  for  the  night,  —  Gen.  Howard  establishing 
his  quarters  in  the  splendid  residence  of  Douglas  Gor- 
don, one  of  the  richest  men  in  Virginia,  and  a  red-hot 
rebel. 

"  The  shot  made  ugly  holes  in  the  house  ;  and  the  soldiers, 
before  the  arrival  of  Gen.  Howard,  sacked  it.  Could  its 
proprietor,  who  is  worth  two  millions,  see  it,  he  would 
probably  dislike  the  Yankees  quite  as  much  as  ever. 

"  I  have  been  watching  the  closing  scene.  I  cannot  pic- 
ture it  truly.  The  sun  has  gone  down.  The  sky  is  with- 
out a  cloud.  The  western  horizon  is  dyed  with  richest  hues, 
—  such  as  fill  the  souls  of  poets  and  artists  with  strange 
delight.  The  shadows  deepen  :  the  growing  darkness  shuts 
out  the  masses  of  men  upon  the  hills  ;  but,  looking  into  the 
west,  I  see  in  profile,  along  the  hills,  the  cannoneers  manip- 
ulating at  their  pieces.  Then  come  a  flash  and  a  white 
cloud.  There  is  a  screaming  in  the  air ;  and  far  over  the 
river  you  see  a  second  flash,  —  a  little  handful  of  cloud, 
which  dissolves  into  thin  vapor,  and  floats  away.  You  see 


208      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

it  all  along  the  hills,  —  the  flashes,  the  clouds  ;  you  hear 
a  continued  pounding,  rolling,  like  grumbling  of  angry 
thunder  reverberating  along  the  stream. 

"  In  the  town  are  blood-red  flames  illuminating  the  ruins 
of  dwellings.  You  see  that  brick  walls  are  standing ;  for 
the  flames  shine  through  the  windows.  It  is  not  in  me  to 
exult  at  the  sight.  I  pity  the  houseless,  homeless  wander- 
ers ;  but  so  falls  the  chastisement,  — a  just  retribution  to  the 
guilty.  On  pitying  the  sufferings  of  the  innocent  children, 
I  cannot  forget  the  thousands  of  mourners,  throughout  the 
land,  mourning  for  those  who  have  been  murdered  by 
the  Eebellion. 

"  The  cannon  cease ;  but  now  the  musketry  begins. 
All  day  long,  there  has  been  a  deafening  fire,  —  single 
shots  from  the  pickets,  like  stray  rain-drops  upon  the 
roof. 

"  The  fire  increases  ;  the  drops  become  a  shower.  It  is 
like  pouring  peas  into  a  pan,  like  hemlock  upon  the  fire,  like 
thunder  growling  between  the  clouds.  The  air  is  full  of 
hissings,  sharp  cutting  sounds,  as  the  leaden  rain  sweeps  in 
deadly  gusts.  The  battle-smoke  is  settling  along  the  valley 
so  densely,  that  the  flashes  are  indistinctly  seen.  You  see 
only  a  continual  glimmering,  like  heat-lightning  on  a  sum- 
mer's night.  So,  till  the  last  of  daylight  fades,  the  combat 
continues. " 

The  threatened  invasion  of  Pennsylvania  by  the  rebel 
Gen.  Lee,  brought  on,  in  July,  1863,  the  decisive  battle  of 
Gettysburg.  Our  gallant  heroes  went  into  the  fight  with 
the  spirit  of  Holmes's  — 


BATTLE-SCENES.  —  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     209 


TRUMPET-SONG. 

The  battle-drum's  loud  rattle  is  rending  the  air ; 
The  troopers  all  are  mounted,  their  sabres  are  bare ; 
The  guns  are  unlimbered,  the  bayonets  shine  : 
Hark,  hark  !  '  tis  the  trumpet-call !    Wheel  into  line ! 

Ta  ra !  ta  ta  ta  ! 
Trum  trum,  tra  ra  ra  ra ! 
Beat  drums  and  blow  trumpets ! 
Hurrah,  boys,  hurrah  ! 

March  onward,  soldiers,  onward  !  the  strife  is  begun  ; 
Loud  bellowing  rolls  the  boom  of  the  black-throated  gun : 
The  rifles  are  cracking,  the  torn  banners  toss, 
The  sabres  are  clashing,  the  bayonets  cross. 
Tara! 

Down  with  the  leaguing  liars,  the  traitors  to  their  trust, 
Who  trampled  the  fair  charter  of  Freedom  in  dust ! 
They  falter,  they  waver,  they  scatter,  they  run  I 
The  field  is  our  own,  and  the  battle  is  won  ! 
Tara! 

God  save  our  mighty  people,  and  prosper  our  cause  ! 
We're  fighting  for  our  nation,  our  land,  and  our  laws ! 
Though  tyrants  may  hate  us,  their  threats  we  defy ; 
And  drum-beat  and  trumpet  shall  peal  our  reply  ! 

Ta  ra  !  ta  ta  ta ! 
Beat  drums  and  blow  trumpets ! 
Trum  trum,  tra  ra  ra  ! 

Hurrah,  boys,  hurrah ! 
14 


210       FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,   AND  PRISON. 

Mr.  Samuel  Wilkeson  of  the  "  New-York  Times,"  whose 
son  was  mortally  wounded  at  Gettysburg,  thus  describes  the 
battle-scenes :  — 

"The  battle  of  Gettysburg, — I  am  told  that  it  commenced 
on  the  1st  of  July,  a  mile  north  of  the  town,  between  two 
weak  brigades  of  infantry  and  some  doomed  artillery,  and 
the  whole  force  of  the  rebel  army.  Among  other  costs  of 
this  error  was  the  death  of  Reynolds.  Its  value  was  price- 
less, however ;  though  priceless  was  the  young  and  the  old 
blood  with  which  it  was  bought.  The  error  put  us  on  the 
defensive,  and  gave  us  the  choice  of  position.  From  the 
moment  that  our  artillery  and  infantry  rolled  back  through 
the  main  street  of  Gettysburg,  and  rolled  out  of  the  to'wn  to 
the  circle  of  eminence  south  of.it,  we  were  not  to  attack,  but 
to  be  attacked.  The  risks  and  the  disadvantages  of  the  com- 
ing battle  were  the  enemy's.  Ours  were  the  heights  for 
artillery ;  ours  the  short  ioside  lines  for  manoeuvring  and 
re-enforcing  ;  ours  the  covers  of  stone  walls,  fences,  and  the 
crests  of  hills.  The  ground  upon  which  we  were  driven  to 
accept  battle  was  wonderfully  favorable  to  us.  A  popular 
description  of  it  would  be  to  say  that  it  was  in  form  an 
elongated  and  somewhat  sharpened  horse-shoe,  with  the  toe 
to  Gettysburg,  and  the  heel  to  the  south. 

"  Lee's  plan  of  battle  was  simple.  He  massed  his  troops 
upon  the  east  side  of  this  shoe  of  position,  and  thundered  on 
it  obstinately  to  break  it.  The  shelling  of  our  batteries 
from  the  nearest  overlooking  hill,  and  the  unflinching  corn-- 
age and  complete  discipline  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
repelled  the  attack.  It  was  renewed  at  the  point  of  the 


BATTLE-SCENES.  —  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     211  • 

shoe  ;  renewed  desperately  at  the  south-west  heel ;  renewed 
on  the  western  side  with  an  effort  consecrated  to  success  by 
Ewell's  earnest  oaths ,  and  on  which  the  fate  of  the  invasion 
of  Pennsylvania  was  fully  put  at  stake.  Only  a  perfect  in- 
fantry, and  an  artillery  educated  in  the  midst  of  charges  of 
hostile  brigades,  could  possibly  have  sustained  this  assault. 

"  Hancock's  corps  did  sustain  it,  and  has  covered  itself 
with  immortal  honors  by  its  constancy  and  courage.  The 
total  wreck  of  Cushing's  battery ;  the  lists  of  its  killed  and 
wounded ;  the  losses  of  officers,  men,  and  horses,  Crowen 
sustained  ;  and  the  marvellous  outspread  upon  the  board  of 
death  of  dead  soldiers  and  dead  animals,  of  dead  soldiers 
in  blue,  and  dead  soldiers  in  gray,  more  marvellous  to  me 
than  anything  I  have  ever  seen  in  war, — are  a  ghastly  and 
shocking  testimony  to  the  terrible  fight  of  the  second  corps, 
that  none  will  gainsay.  That  corps  will  ever  have  the  dis- 
tinction of  breaking  the  pride  and  power  of  the  rebel  inva- 
sion. 

"  The  battle  commenced  at  daylight  on  the  side  of  the 
horse-shoe  position,  exactly  opposite  to  that  which  Ewell 
had  sworn  to  crush  through.  Musketry  preceded  the  rising 
of  the  sun.  A  thick  wood  veiled  this  fight ;  but  out  of  its 
leafy  darkness  arose  the  smoke  ;  and  the  surging  and  swell- 
ing of  the  fire,  from  intermittent  to  continuous  and  crushing, 
told  of  the  wise  tactics  of  the  rebels  of  attacking  in  force, 
and  changing  their  troops.  Seemingly,  the  attack  of  the 
day  was  to  be  made  through  the  wood.  The  demonstration 
was  protracted ;  it  was  absolutely  preparative :  but  there 
was  no  artillery  -  fire  accompanying  the  musketry;  and 


212       FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

shrewd  officers  in  our  western  front  mentioned,  with  the 
gravity  due  to  the  fact,  that  the  rebels  had  felled  trees  at  in- 
tervals upon  the  edge  of  the  wood  they  occupied  in  face  of 
our  position.  These  were  breastworks  for  the  protection 
of  artillery-men. 

"  Suddenly,  and  about  ten  in  the  forenoon,  the  firing  on 
the  east  side  and  everywhere  about  our  lines  ceased.  A  silence 
as  of  deep  sleep  fell  upon  the  field  of  battle.  Our  army 
cooked,  ate,  and  slumbered.  The  rebel  army  moved  one 
hundred  and  twenty  guns  to  the  west,  and  massed  there 
Longstreet's  corps  and  Hill's  corps,  to  hurl  them  upon  the 
really  weakest  point  of  our  entire  position. 

"Eleven  o'clock,  twelve  o'clock,  one  o'clock.  In  the 
shadows  cast  by  the  tiny  farm-lifJuse,  16  by  20,  which  Gen. 
Mcade  had  made  his  headquarters,  lay  wearied  staff-officers 
and  tired  reporters.  There  was  not  wanting  to  the  peace- 
fulness  of  the  scene  the  singing  of  a  bird,  which  had  a  nest 
in  a  peach-tree  within  the  tiny  yard  of  the  white-washed 
cottage. 

"  In  the  midst  of  its  warbling,  a  shell  screamed  over  the 
house,  instantly  followed  by  another  and  another  ;  and  in  a 
moment  the  air  was  full  of  the  most  complete  artillery  pre- 
lude to  an  infantry  battle  that  was  ever  exhibited.  Every 
size  and  form  of  shell  known  to  British  and  to  American 
gunnery  shrieked,  whirled,  moaned,  whistled,  and  wrath- 
fully  fluttered  over  our  ground.  As  many  as  six  in  a  sec- 
ond, constantly  two  in  a  second,  bursting  and  screaming 
over  and  around  the  headquarters,  made  a  very  hell  of  fire 
that  amazed  the  oldest  officers. 


BATTLE-SCENES. — ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     213 

"  They  burst  in  the  yard  ;  burst  next  to  the  fence  on  both 
sides,  garnished  as  usual  with  the  hitched  horses  of  aides  and 
orderlies.  The  fastened  animals  reared  and  plunged  with 
terror.  Then  one  fell,  then  another  :  sixteen  lay  dead  and 
mangled  before  the  fire  ceased,  still  fastened  by  their  halters, 
which  gave  the  impression  of  their  being  wickedly  tied  up 
to  die  painfully.  These  brute  victims  of  a  cruel  war 
touched  all  hearts.  Through  the  midst  of  the  storm  of 
screaming  and  exploding  shells,  an  ambulance,  driven  by 
its  frenzied  conductor  at  fall  speed,  presented  to  all  of  us 
the  marvellous  spectacle  of  a  horse  going  rapidly  on  three 
legs.  A  hinder  one  had  been  shot  off  at  the  hock. 

"  A  shell  tore  up  the  little  step  of  the  headquarters'  cottage, 
cutting  and  ripping  bags  of  oats  as  with  a  knife.  Another 
soon  carried  off  one  of  its  pillars.  Soon  a  spherical  case 
burst  opposite  the  open  door  ;  another  ripped  through  the  low 
garret.  The  remaining  pillar  went  almost  immediately  to 
the  howl  of  a  fixed  shot  that  Whitworth  must  have  made. 
During  this  fire,  the  horses  at  twenty  and  thirty  feet  distant 
were  receiving  their  death ;  and  soldiers  in  Federal  blue 
were  torn  to  pieces  in  the  road,  and  died  with  the  peculiar 
yells  that  blend  the  extorted  cry  of  pain  with  horror  and  de- 
spair. Not  an  orderly,  not  an  ambulance,  not  a  straggler, 
was  to  be  seen  upon  the  plain  swept  by  this  tempest  of 
orchestral  death  thirty  minutes  after  it  commenced. 

"  Were  not  one  hundred  and  twenty  pieces  of  artillery 
trying  to  cut  from  the  field  every  battery  we  had  in  position 
to  resist  their  purposed  infantry  attack,  and  to  sweep  away 
the  slight  defences  behind  which  our  infantry  were  waiting? 


214       FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

Forty  minutes,  fifty  minutes,  counted  on  watches  that  ran,  oh 
so  languidly  !  Shells  through  the  two  lower  rooms.  A  shell 
into  the  chimney,  that  fortunately  did  not  explode.  Shells 
in  the  yard.  The  air  thicker  and  fuller,  and  more  deafen- 
ing with  the  howling  and  whirring  of  these  infernal  missiles. 
The  chief  of  staff  struck.  Seth  Williams,  loved  and  re- 
spected through  the  army,  separated  from  instant  death  by 
two  inches  of  space  vertically  measured.  An  aide  bored 
with  a  fragment  of  iron  through  the  bone  of  the  arm. 
Another  cut  with  an  exploded  piece.  And  the  time  meas- 
ured on  the  sluggish  watches  was  one  hour  and  forty  min- 
utes. 

"  Then  there  was  a  lull,  and  we  knew  that  the  rebel  in- 
fantry was  charging.  And  splendidly  they  did  this  work,  — 
the  highest  and  severest  test  of  the  stuff  that  soldiers  are 
made  of.  Hill's  division  in  the  line  of  battle  came  first  on 
the  double-quick,  their  muskets  at  the  '  right-shoulder-shift.' 
Longstreet's  came  as  the  support,  at  the  usual  distance,  with 
war-cries  and  a  savage  insolence  as  yet  untutored  by  defeat. 
They  rushed  in  perfect  order  across  the  open  field,  up  to  the 
very  muzzles  of  the  guns,  which  tore  lanes  through  them  as 
they  came. 

"  But  they  met  men  who  were  their  equals  in  spirit,  and 
their  superiors  in  tenacity.  There  never  was  better  fighting 
since  Thermopylae  than  was  done  yesterday  by  our  infantry 
and  artillery.  The  rebels  were  over  our  defences.  They 
had  cleaned  cannoneers  and  horses  from  one  of  the  guns, 
and  were  whirling  it  around  to  use  upon  us.  The  bayonet 
drove  them  back.  But  so  hard  pressed  was  this  brave  in- 


BATTLE-SCENES.  —  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     215 

fantry,  that  at  one  time,  from  the  exhaustion  of  their  ammu- 
nition, every  battery  upon  the  principal  crest  of  attack  was 
silent,  except  Crowen's. 

"  His  services  of  grape  and  canister  were  awful.  It  en- 
abled our  line,  outnumbered  two  to  one,  first  to  beat  back 
Longstreet,  and  then  to  charge  upon  him  and  take  a  great  num- 
ber of  his  men  and  himself  prisoners.  Strange  sight !  So 
terrible  was  our  musketry  and  artillery  fire,  that  when  Armi- 
stead's  brigade  was  checked  in  its  charge,  and  stood  reeling, 
all  of  its  men  dropped  their  muskets,  and  crawled  on  their 
hands  and  knees  underneath  the  stream  of  shot,  till  close  to 
our  troops,  where  they  made  signs  of  surrendering.  They 
passed  through  our  ranks  scarcely  noticed,  and  slowly  \\cent 
down  the  slope  to  the  road  in  the  rear. 

"  Before  they  got  there,  the  grand  charge  of  Ewell,  sol- 
emnly sworn  to  and  carefully  prepared,  had  failed.  The 
rebels  had  retreated  to  their  lines,  and  opened  anew  the 
storm  of  shell  and  shot  from  their  one  hundred  and  twenty 
guns.  Those  who  remained  at  the  riddled  headquarters 
will  never  forget  the  crouching,  dodging,  and  running  of 
the  butternut-colored  captives  when  they  got  under  this, 
their  friends'  fire.  It  was  appalling  to  as  good  soldiers  even 
as  they  were. 

"  What  remains  to  say  of  the  fight?  It  straggled  surlily 
on  the  middle  of  the  horse-shoe  on  "the  west ;  grew  big  and 
angry  on  the  heel  at  the  south-west ;  lasted  there  till  three 
o'clock  in  the  evening,  when  the  fighting  sixth  corps  went 
joyously  by  as  a  re-enforcement,  through  the  wood  bright 
with  coiFee-pots  ou  the  fire." 


216      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

The  following  is  from  the  invaluable  pen  of  "  Carleton," 
who  was  on  the  memorable  spot :  — 

"  At  daybreak,  I  was  in  saddle  for  a  ride  over  the  battle- 
field. Reaching  the  top  of  the  hill  at  the  cemetery,  I  found 
the  men  of  the  first,  eleventh,  and  twelfth  corps,  which  took 
their  positions  on  Wednesday,  still  in  place.  They  had  not 
moved.  There  was  still  a  rattling  fire  along  the  picket- 
lines.  Gen.  Howard  and  staff  were  in  the  cemetery.  How 
changed  that  spot !  On  Wednesday,  its  gravelled  walks  were 
smooth  and  clean,  the  flowers  were  in  bloom,  the  shrubs 
and  trees  unscarred,  the  monuments  undefaced,  the  marble 
slabs  as  pure  and  white  as  snow.  There  were  broken  wheels, 
splintered  caissons,  horses  shot  in  the  neck,  in  the  head, 
with  their  bowels  torn  out,  legt,  broken  ;  here  and  there  was 
a  dead  soldier  wrapped  in  his  blanket.  The  marble  slabs 
were  shivered,  the  iron  railing  around  the  enclosures  of  the 
dead  broken,  the  ground  ploughed  up  where  solid  shot  had 
struck,  holes  excavated  by  exploding  shells,  —  an  indescriba- 
ble scene  of  desolation. 

"  Fearful  was  the  fire  upon  that  point.  Fifty  shells  a 
minute  exploded  around  that  spot ;  and  yet  it  was  held  by 
the  eleventh  corps  and  by  Osborne's  batteries.  Not  for 
a  moment  was  there  a  thought  of  abandoning  that  posi- 
tion. 

"  How  these  batteries  flamed  and  smoked  in  that  last  ter- 
rible attack  yesterday  afternoon  !  It  was  as  Sinai,  fearful 
to  behold.  The  earth  quaked  and  trembled.  How  destruc- 
tive the  fire  of  those  guns  along  that  ridge  from  the  ceme- 
tery down  past  the  second  and  third  corps,  toward  Bound 


BATTLE-SCENES.— ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     217 

Top  !  There,  fifteen  or  twenty  rods  distant,  was  the  left  of 
the  rebel  columns  of  Hill  and  Longstreet,  near  the  little 
white-washed  cottage  on  the  Emmettsburg  Road.  There 
you  see  the  wind-rows  of  dead,  lying  just  as  Osborne's  grape 
and  canister  raked  them,  in  piles,  as  if  a  thunderbolt  had 
fallen  upon  the  one  living  mass. 

"  There  was  determination  on  the  part  of  the  rebels  to 
win,  equal  determination  on  the  part  of  the  Union  men  to 
hold  the  position.  When  the  fight  was  hottest,  a  gunner  in 
one  of  Osborne's  batteries  was  severely  wounded  ;  and  unable 
to  stand,  but  seating  himself  behind  the  piece,  he  twice 
sighted  it  before  he  would  allow  himself  to  ba  carried  to  the 
rear. 

"  Men  fired  in  each  other's  faces  not  five  feet  apart. 
There  were  bayonet-thrusts,  cuttings  with  sabres,  pistol- 
shots,  cool,  deliberate  movements  on  the  part  of  some  ;  hot, 
passionate,  desperate  efforts  with  others  ;  hand-to-hand  con- 
tests. There  were  recklessness  of  life,  tenacity  of  purpose, 
oaths,  curses,  yells,  hurrahs,  shoutings :  men  went  down, 
some  on  their  faces,  some  leaping  into  the  air  with  excla- 
mations wrung  from  their  hearts.  There  were  ghastly  heaps 
of  dead  where  the  cannon  tore  open  the  ranks. 

"  The  hours  became  eternities  ;  the  minutes,  ages  ;  and 
yet  the  line  held  out.  Thin  as  it  was,  it  was  strong  and 
tenacious,  the  best  of  mettle,  not  to  be  broken  or  twisted  by 
the  tremendous  force  beating  and  pounding  at  the  centre. 

"Last  night  I  rode  along  the  ridge.     It  was  past  nine 


218       FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

o'clock.  The  pickets  were  at  it,  our  own  out  by  the  Em- 
mettsburg  Koad.  Occasionally  a  shell  screamed  past  them 
from  the  batteries  opposite  the  third  corps.  The  enemy 
were  beaten.  The  troops  were  jubilant.  The  third  corps 
was  cheering :  their  shouts  must  have  been  very  distinctly 
heard  by  the  rebels  across  the  fields. 

"  At  headquarters,  in  the  oak  grove  on  the  Taneytown 
Koad,  there  was  a  collection  of  officers.  Gen.  Meade  rode 
in,  and  sat  down  upon  a  stone,  weary  with  the  hard  day's 
work.  An  officer  reported  that  Pleasanton  had  taken  sev- 
eral hundred  prisoners. 

"'Bully  for  him! — bully,  bully,  bully,  all  round!'  was 
his  good-natured,  bluff,  frank  response. 

"A  band  struck  up,  'Hail  to  the  Chief!'  The  music, 
never  more  pleasing  to  the  ear  than  then,  mingled  with  the 
cheers  still  ringing  at  the  base  of  Round  Top,  and  was  borne 
on  the  evening  air  across  the  fields  to  the  discomfited  enemy. 
The  men  were  in  good  heart  to-day.  They  felt  that  at  last 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac  is  a  power  in  the  world.  It  has 
worked  hard,  suffered  much,  has  been  abused,  has  been 
thought  to  be  of  no  account ;  but  it  has  written  a  page  of 
history,  —  a  bloody  page,  but  one  which  will  be  forever 
honorable  in  the  book  of  time." 

In  -a,  previous  narration  of  the  day's  events,  Mr.  Coffin 
says,  — 

"  What  deeds  of  valor  were  performed  !  There  were 
many  heroes  that  day.  A  rebel  officer  seized  the  colors  of 
the  Fourth  Michigan.  Col.  Jefferds,  seizing  his  revolver, 
shot  him,  and  regained  the  flag.  A  rebel  soldier  with  a 


BATTLE-SCENES.  — ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     219 

bayonet-thrust  run  the  colonel  through  the  body,  inflicting 
a  mortal  wound  ;  but,  as  he  fell,  he  held  the  flag  he  loved  so 
well  with  a  firmer  grasp,  clasping  it  in  his  arms,  and  press- 
ing it  to  his  heart.  The  rebel  soldier,  too,  went  down,  his 
brain  pierced  by  a  bullet  from  Major  Hall's  revolver." 
Among  other  thrilling  scenes  was  the  following :  — 
"  When  the  fight  was  most  terrific,  Col.  Hall,  command- 
ing the  brigade,  quietly  ordered  the  color-bearer  of  the 
Fifteenth  Massachusetts  to  advance  upon  the  enemy  alone. 
It  was  like  an  electric  impulse.  It  thrilled  the  entire  line. 
Men  forgot  that  they  were  on  the  defensive  ;  and,  without  an 
order  from  a  commanding  officer,  the  line,  as  if  bent  on  one 
common  purpose,  surged  ahead.  Thousands  of  bayonets 
flashed  in  the  beams  of  the  setting  sun.  Then  came  a  wild 
hurrah,  and  the  mass  of  rebels  melted  away  over  the  plain." 
"  Carleton  "  adds,  in  language  that  loyal  hearts  echo,  — 
"  The  invasion  of  the  North  was  over ;  the  power  of  the 
Southern  Confederacy  broken.  There,  at  that  sunset  hour, 
I  could  discern  the  future,  —  no  longer  an  overcast  sky,  but 
clear,  unclouded  starlight ;  a  country  redeemed,  saved, 
baptized,  consecrated  anew  to  the  coming  ages. 

"  All  honor  to  the  heroic  living  !  all  glory  to  the  gallant 
dead  !  They  have  not  fought  in  vain  :  they  have  not  died 
for  nought.  No  man  liveth  to  himself  alone.  Not  for 
themselves,  but  for  their  children,  for  those  who  may  never 
hear  of  them  in  their  nameless  graves,  have  they  yielded 
life  ;  for  the  future  ;  for  all  that  is  good,  pure,  holy,  true, 
just ;  for  humanity,  righteousness,  peace ;  for  paradise  on 
earth  ;  for  Christ  and  for  God,— they  have  given  themselves 


220      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

a  willing  sacrifice.      Blessed    be   their   memory   forever- 
more  ! " 

One  man  who  resided  near  the  battle-ground  has  earned 
the  title  of  "Hero  of  Gettysburg."  His  'name  is  John 
Burns :  he  is  of  Scotch  descent,  but  was  born  in  New 
Jersey.  He  fought  in  the  war  of  1812. 

"  On  the  morning  of  the  first  day's  fight  at  Gettysburg,  he 
sent  his  wife  away,  telling  her  that  he  would  take  care  of 
the  house.  The  firing  was  near  by,  over  Seminary  Ridge. 
Soon  a  wounded  soldier  came  into  the  town,  and  stopped  at 
an  old  house  on  the  opposite  corner.  Burns  saw  the  poor 
fellow  lay  down  his  musket ;  and  the  inspiration  to  go  into 
the  battle  seems  then  first  to  have  seized  him.  He  went 
over,  and  demanded  the  gun. 
,  "  'What  are  you  going  to  do  with  it? '  asked  the  soldier. 

"  'I'm  going  to  shoot  some  of  the  damned  rebels  ! '  replied 
John. 

"He  is  not  a  swearing  man  ;  and  the  strong  adjective  is  to 
be  taken  in  a  strictly  literal,  not  a  profane  sense. 

"  Having  obtained  the  gun,  he  pushed  out  on  the 
Chambersburg  Pike,  and  was  soon  in  the  thick  of  the 
skirmish. 

"  '  I  wore  a  high-crowned  hat  and  a  long-tailed  blue,  and 
I  was  seventy  years  old,'  said  he. 

"  The  sight  of  so  old  a  man,  in  such  costume,  rushing  fear- 
lessly forward  to  get  a  shot  in  the  very  front  of  the  battle, 
of  course  attracted  attention.  He  fought  with  the  Seventh 
Wisconsin  Regiment,  the  colonel  of  which  ordered  him 
back,  and  questioned  him  ;  and  finally,  seeing  the  old  man's 


BATTLE-SCENES. — ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     221 

patriotic  determination,  gave  him  a  good  rifle  in  place  of 
the  musket  lie  had  brought  with  him. 

"  '  Are  you  a  good  shot? ' 

"  '  Tolerable  good,'  said  John,  who  is  an  old  fox-hunter. 

"  '  Do  you  see  that  rebel  riding  yonder?' 

"  '  I  do.' 

"  '  Can  you  fetch  him?' 

"  '  I  can  try.' 

"  The  old  man  took  deliberate  aim,  and  fired.  He  does  not 
say  he  killed  the  rebel,  but  simply  that  his  shot  was  cheered 
by  the  Wisconsin  boys,  and  that  afterwards  the  horse  the 
rebel  rode  was  seen  galloping  with  an  empty  saddle. 
'That's  all  I  know  about  it.' 

"  He  fought  until  our  forces  were  driven  back  in  the  after- 
noon. He  had  already  received  two  slight  wounds,  and  a 
third  one  through  the  arm,  to  which  he  paid  little  attention. 
'  Only  the  blood  running  down  my  hand  bothered  me  a 
heap.'  Then,  as  he  was  slowly  falling  back  with  the  rest, 
he  received  a  final  shot  through  the  leg.  '  Down  I  went, 
and  the  whole  rebel  army  ran  over  me.'  Helpless,  nearly 
bleeding  to  death  from  his  wounds,  he  lay  upon  the  field  all 
night. 

"  'About  sun-up,  the  next  morning,  I  crawled  to  a  neigh- 
bor's house,  and  found  it  full  of  wounded  rebels.'  The 
neighbor  afterwards  took  him  to  his  own  house,  which  had 
also  been  turned  into  a  rebel  hospital."  * 

The  writer  of  the  above  adds,  — 

"  Of  the  magnitude  of  a  battle  fought  so  desperately  dur- 

*  Atlantic  Monthly,  November,  1865. 


222      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

ing  three  clays,  by  armies  numbering  not  far  from  two  hun- 
dred thousand  men,  no  adequate  conception  can  be  formed. 
One  or  two  facts  may  help  to  give  a  faint  idea  of  it.  Mr. 
Gulp's  meadow,  below  Cemetery  Hill,  a  lot  of  near  twenty 
acres,  was  so  thickly  strewn  with  rebel  dead,  that  Mr.  Gulp 
declared  he  '  could  have  walked  across  it  without  put- 
ting foot  upon  the  ground  ! '  Upwards  of  three  hundred  Con- 
federates were  buried  in  that  fair  field  in  one  hole.  Ou  Mr. 
Gwynn's  farm,  below  Round  Top,  near  five  hundred  sons 
of  the  South  lie  promiscuously  heaped  in  one  huge  sepulture. 
Of  the  quantities  of  iron,  of  the  wagon-loads  of  arms, 
knapsacks,  haversacks,  and  clothing,  which  strewed  the 
country,  no  estimate  can  be  made.  Government  set  a  guard 
over  these  ;  and,  for  weeks,  officials  were  busy  in  gathering 
together  all  the  more  valuable  spoils.  The  harvest  of  bul- 
lets was  left  for  the  citizens  to  glean.  Many  of  the  poorest 
people  did  a  thriving  business,  picking  up  these  missiles  of 
death,  and  selling  them  to  dealers,  two  of  whom  alone  sent 
to  Baltimore  fifty  tons  of  lead  collected  in  this  way  from 
this  battle-field ! " 

The  Army  of  the  Potomac  were  engaged  in  other  battles, 
—  those  which  resulted  in  the  capture  of  many  important 
towns  and  cities,  and  which  gave  a  place  to  plant  the  flag 
of  our  country  in  most  of  the  rebel  States,  long  before  the 
four  battle-years  were  ended.  Besides  the  famous  battles 
already  specially  mentioned,  the  army  wrought  wonders  under 
Gens.  Grant,  Sherman,  and  Sheridan,  and  fought  other  bat- 
tles equally  terrible  and  more  decisive.  But  space  cannot 
b,ere  be  afforded  to  speak  of  the  campaigns  of  those  able 


BATTLE-SCENES.— ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     223 

generals  in  detail.  We  must  be  content  with  brief  sketches. 
The  following  depicts  Sheridan's  splendid  achievements  at 
Five  Forks  :  it  is  from  the  "  New- York  World  :  "  — 

"  A  colonel  with  a  shattered  regiment  came  down  upon 
us  in  a  charge.  The  bayonets  were  fixed :  the  men  came  on 
with  a  yell.  Their  gray  uniforms  seemed  black  amid  the 
smoke.  Their  preserved  colors,  torn  by  grape  and  ball, 
waved  defiantly.  Twice  they  halted,  and  poured  in  volleys, 
but  came  on  again  like  the  surge  from  the  fog,  depleted,  but 
determined :  yet  in  the  hot  faces  of  the  carabineers  they 
read  a  purpose  as  resolute,  but  more  calm  ;  and  while  they 
pressed  along,  swept  all  the  while  by  scathing  volleys,  a  group 
of  horsemen  took  them  in  flank. 

"  It  was  an  awful  instant.  The  horses  recoiled  ;  the  char- 
ging column  trembled  like  a  single  thing :  but  at  once  the 
rebels,  with  rare  organization,  fell  into  a  hollow  square,  and 
with  solid  sheets  of  steel  defied  our  centaurs.  The  horse- 
men rode  around  them  in  vain :  no  charge  could  break  the 
shining  squares,  until  our  dismounted  carabineers  poured  in 
their  volleys  afresh,  making  gaps  in  the  spent  ranks  ;  and  then 
in  their  wavering  time  the  cavalry  thundered  down.  The 
rebels  could  stand  no  more :  they  reeled  and  swayed,  and 
fell  back  broken  and  beaten  ;  and  on  the  ground  their  colo- 
nel lay,  sealing  his  devotion  with  his  life. 

"  Through  wood  and  brake  and  swamp,  across  field  and 
trench,  we  pushed  the  fighting  defenders  steadily.  For  a 
part  of  the  time,  Sheridan  himself  was  there,  short  and 
broad  and  active,  waving  his  hat,  giving  orders,  seldom  out 
of  fire,  but  never  stationary ;  and  close  by  fell  the  long  yel- 


224      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

low  locks  of  Custar,  sabre  extended,  fighting  like  a  Viking, 
though  he  was  worn  and  haggard  with  much  work.  At  four 
o'clock,  the  rebels  were  behind  their  wooden  walls  at  Five 
Forks ;  and  still  the  cavalry  pressed  them  hard,  in  faint 
rather  than  solemn  effort ;  while  a  battalion,  dismounted, 
charged  squarely  upon  the  face  of  their  breastworks  which 
lay  in  the  main  on  the  north  side  of  the  White-oak  Road. 
Then,  while  the  cavalry  worked  round  toward  the  rear,  the 
infantry  of  Warren,  though  commanded  by  Sheridan,  pre- 
pared to  take  part  in  the  battle. 

"  We  were  already  on  the  rebel  right  in  force,  and  thinly 
in  their  rear.  Our  carabineers  were  making  feint  to  charge 
in  direct  front ;  and  our  infantry,  four  deep,  hemmed  in  their 
entire  left.  All  this  they  did  not  for  an  instant  note,  so 
thorough  was  their  confusion  ;  but,  seeing  it  directly,  they, 
so  far  from  giving  up,  concentrated  all  energy,  and  fought 
like  fiends.  They  had  a  battery  in  position,  which  belched 
incessantly ;  and  over  the  breastworks  their  musketry  made 
one  unbroken  roll,  while  against  Sheridan's  prowlers  on 
their  left,  by  skirmish  and  sortie,  they  stuck  to  their  sinking 
fortunes,  so  as  to  win  unwilling  applause  from  mouths  of 
wisest  censure. 

"  It  was  just  at  the  coming-up  of  the  infantry  that  Sheri- 
dan's little  band  was  pushed  the  hardest.  At  one  time,  in- 
deed, they  seemed  about  to  undergo  extermination  ;  not  that 
they  wavered,  but  that  they  were  so  vastly  overpowered. 
It  will  remain  to  the  latest  time  a  matter  of  marvel,  that  so 
paltry  a  cavalry  force  could  press  back  sixteen  thousand  in- 
fantry ;  but,  when  the  infantry  blew  like  a  great  barn-door 


BATTLE-SCENES. — ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.    225 

(the  simile  best  applicable)  upon  the  enemy's  left,  the  victory 
that  was  to  come  had  passed  the  region  of  strategy,  and  re- 
solved to  an  affair  of  personal  courage.  We  had  met  the 
enemy  :  were  they  to  be  ours  ? 

"  To  expedite  this  consummation,  every  officer  fought  as  if 
he  were  the  forlorn  hope.  Mounted  on  his  black  pony,  the 
same  which  he  rode  at  Winchester,  Sheridan  galloped  every- 
where, his  face  flushed  all  the  redder,  and  his  plethoric  but 
nervous  figure  all  the  more  ubiquitous.  He  galloped  once 
down  to  the  rebel  front  with  but  a  handful  of  his  staff.  A 
dozen  bullets  whistled  for  him  together :  one  grazed  his 
arm,  at  which  a  faithful  orderly  rode.  The  black  pony  leaped 
high  in  fright,  and  Sheridan  was  untouched  ;  but  the  orderly 
lay  dead  in  the  field,  and  the  saddle  dashed  afar  empty. 

"  At  seven  o'clock,  the  rebels  came  to  the  conclusion  that 
they  were  outflanked  and  whipped.  They  had  been  so  busi- 
ly engaged,  that  they  were  a  long  time  finding  out  how  des- 
perate were  their  circumstances ;  but  now,  wearied  with 
persistent  assaults  in  front,  they  fell  back  to  the  left,  only  to 
see  four  close  lines  of  battle  waiting  to  drive  them  across 
the  field  decimated.  At  the  right,  the  horsemen  charged 
them  in  their  vain  attempt  to  fight  '  out ; '  and,  in  the  rear, 
straggling  foot  and  cavalry  began  also  to  assemble.  Slant 
fire,  cross  fire,  and  direct  fire,  by  file  and  volley,  rolled  in 
perpetually,  cutting  down  their  bravest  officers,  and  strewing 
the  fields  with  bleeding  men.  Groans  resounded  in  the  in- 
tervals of  exploding  powder  ;  and,  to  add  to  their  terror  and 
despair,  their  own  artillery,  captured  from  them,  threw  into 
their  own  ranks,  from  its  old  position,  ungrateful  grape  and 
15 


226      FIELD,   GUXBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

canister,  enfilading  their  breastworks,  whizzing  and  plun- 
ging by  air  line  and  ricochet ;  and,  at  last,  bodies  of  cavalry 
fairly  mounted  their  intrenchments,  and  charged  down  the 
parapet,  slashing  and  trampling  them,  and  producing  inex- 
tricable confusion.  They  had  no  commanders,  at  least  no 
orders  ;  and  looked  in  vain  for  some  guiding  hand  to  lead 
them  out  of  a  toil  into  which  they  had  fallen  so  bravely  and 
so  blindly.  A  few  more  volleys,  a  new  and  irresistible 
charge,  a  shrill  and  warning  command  to  die  or  surrender, 
and,  with  a  sullen  and  fearful  impulse,  five  thousand  muskets 
are  flung  upon  the  ground,  and  £ve  thousand  hot,  exhausted, 
and  impotent  men  are  Sheridan's  prisoners  of  war. 

"  Acting  with  his  usual  decision,  Sheridan  placed  his  cap- 
tives in  the  care  of  a  provost-guard,  and  sent  them  at  once 
to  the  rear.  Those  who  escaped  he  ordered  the  fiery  Custar 
to  pursue  with  brand  and  vengeance  :  and  they  were  pressed 
far  into  the  desolate  forest,  spent  and  hungry  ;  many  falling, 
by  the  way,  of  wounds  or  exhaustion  ;  many  pressed  down 
by  hoof  or  sabre-stroke  ;  and  many  picked  up  in  mercy,  and 
sent  back  to  rejoin  their  brethren  in  bonds.  "We  captured 
in  all  fully  six  thousand  prisoners." 

The  allusion  to  Sheridan's  black  horse  is  explained  by  the 
following  lyric,  written  by  T.  B.  Read  :  — 

SHERIDAN'S  RIDE. 

Up  from  the  South  at  break  of  day, 
Bringing  to  Winchester  fresh  dismay, 
The  affrighted  air  with  a  shudder  bore, 
Like  a  herald  in  haste  to  the  chieftain's  door, 


BATTLE-SCENES.  — ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     227 

The  terrible  grumble  and  rumble  and  roar, 
Telling  the  battle  was  on  once  more, 
And  Sheridan  twenty  miles  away. 

And  wider  still  those  billows  of  war 

Thundered  along  the  horizon's  bar, 

And  louder  yet  into  Winchester  rolled 

The  roar  of  that  red  sea  uncontrolled, 

Making  the  blood  of  the  listener  cold 

As  he  thought  of  the  stake  in  that  fiery  fray, 

And  Sheridan  twenty  miles  away. 

But  there  is  a  road  from  Winchester  Town,  — 

A  good  broad  highway  leading  down ; 

And  there,  through  the  flush  of  the  morning  light, 

A  steed,  as  black  as  the  steed  of  night, 

Was  seen  to  pass  as  with  eagle  flight. 

As  if  he  knew  the  terrible  need, 

He  stretched  away  with  his  utmost  speed  : 

Hill  rose  and  fell ;  but  his  heart  was  gay, 

With  Sheridan  fifteen  miles  away. 

Still  sprung  from  those  swift  hoofs,  thundering  South, 
The  dust,  like  the  smoke  from  the  cannon's  mouth, 
Or  the  trail  of  a  comet,  sweeping  faster  and  faster, 
Foreboding  to  traitors  the  doom  of  disaster. 
The  heart  of  the  steed  and  the  heart  of  the  master 
AVere  beating  like  prisoners  assaulting  their  walls, 
Impatient  to  be  where  the  battle-field  calls : 
Every  nerve  of  the  charger  was  strained  to  full  play, 
With  Sheridan  only  ten  miles  away. 


228       FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,   AND  PRISON. 

Under  his  spurning  feet  the  road 

Like  an  arrowy  alpine  river  flowed ; 

And  the  landscape  sped  away  behind 

Like  an  ocean  flying  before  the  wind ; 

And  the  steed,  like  a  bark  fed  with  furnace  ire, 

Swept  on,  with  his  wild  eyes  full  of  fire. 

But,  lo  !  he  is  nearing  his  heart's  desire  ; 

He  is  snuffing  the  smoke  of  the  roaring  fray, 

With  Sheridan  only  five  miles  away. 

The  first  that  the  general  saw  were  the  groups 

Of  stragglers,  and  then  the  retreating  troops. 

What  was  done  ?  what  to  do  ?     A  glance  told  him  both  : 

Then,  striking  his  spurs,  with  a  terrible  oath 

He  dashed  down  the  line  'mid  a  storm  of  huzzas ; 

And  the  wave  of  retreat  checked  its  course  there,  because 

The  sight  of  the  master  compelled  it  to  pause. 

With  foam  and  with  dust  the  black  charger  was  gray : 

By  the  flash  of  his  eye,  and  his  red  nostrils'  play, 

He  seemed  to  the  whole  great  army  to  say, 

"  I  have  brought  you  Sheridan  all  the  way 

From  Winchester  down  to  save  the  day ! " 

Hurrah,  hurrah,  for  Sheridan  ! 
Hurrah,  hurrah,  for  horse  and  man  ! 
And  when  their  statues  are  placed  on  high, 
Under  the  dome  of  the  Union  sky, — 
The  American  soldier's  Temple  of  Fame, — 
There,  with  the  glorious  general's  name, 
Be  it  said  in  letters  both  bold  and  bright, 
"  Here  is  the  steed  that  saved  the  day 
By  carrying  Sheridan  into  the  fight, 
From  Winchester,  twenty  miles  away  1  * 


BATTLE-SCENES.  —  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.    229 

The  spring  of  1865  brought  the  great  battles  which 
resulted  in  the  fall  of  Richmond,  the  surrender  of  Gen. 
Lee,  the  final  overthrow  of  the  Rebellion,  and  the  resto- 
ration of  peace.  A  writer  in  the  "  Boston  Journal "  says 
(March  29)  of  the  fight  at  Fort  Steadman, — 

"The  rebels  first  made  a  dash  on  the  Fifty-seventh  ;  and, 
after  the  first  fire,  the  brave  soldiers  of  that  regiment  had  no 
chance  to  load :  but  every  man  was  a  hero,  and  used  his 
musket  like  a  club,  knocking  them  right  and  left.  But  it 
was  of  no  use  :  they  were  overpowered  by  the  enemy,  and  a 

number  of  brave  men  fell.     Lieut.  Murdoch  fell  with  the 

» 

color  in  his  hand ;  Capt.  Dougherty  received  his  death- 
wound  ;  and  Capt.  "Ward  is  missing. 

"  Poor  Dougherty  !  He  was  in  his  glory  when  fighting. 
He  was  taken  to  the  hospital,  and  like  a  soldier  he  died. 
About  twenty  minutes  before  he  expired,  he  sent  his  regards 
to  Gen.  Wilcox,  and  said,  '  Tell  Kim  I  hate  to  leave  his  com- 
mand.' 

"  The  Twenty-ninth  fought  with  equal  bravery.  Many 
were  captured,  and  many  that  were  captured  escaped. 

"  The  enemy  was  upon  the  Fifty-ninth  in  full  force  ;  but 
they  showed  the  mettle  of  Massachusetts  troops.  They 
fought  until  they  were  almost  surrounded,  and  only  escaped 
by  rushing  over  our  works  toward  the  enemy's,  and  round 
into  Fort  Haskell. 

"I  would  mention  Gen.  Wilcox,  who  commands  the 
division  to  which  these  regiments  belong.  His  men  think 
the  world  of  him.  When  he  found  that  the  rebels  had  the 
fort,  he  sent  one  of  his  staff  to  order  out  part  of  the  third 


230      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON, 

division,  which  was  in  reserve  near  his  headquarters,  and 
sent  another  to  the  troops  on  the  right  and  left  of  Steadman, 
ordering  them  to  hold  their  ground  at  all  hazards ;  and, 
when  asked  by  one  of  his  staff  what  he  was  going  to  do, 
replied,  '  Charge,  Steadman  I '  He  did  so,  assisted  by  Hart- 
ranft ;  and  the  fort  was  retaken. 

"  The  colors  of  the  One  Hundreth  Pennsylvania,  of  Wil- 
cox's  division,  were  the  first  planted  on  the  fort ;  and  his 
division  '  captured  seven  rebel  flags,  together  with  one  of 
our  own,  and  fully  one  thousand  prisoners,'  as  announced 
in  general  order." 

"  Carleton,"  in  describing  the  final  battles,  thus  writes  :  — 

"  It  was  my  privilege  to  witness  the  second  attack  upon 
the  ninth  corps  on  Wednesday  night.  I  was  the  guest  of 
Surgeon  White,  of  the  first  division  hospital,  which  is 
located  in  rear  of  the  battery.  Precisely  at  ten  o'clock, 
there  was  a  signal-gun  on  the  rebel  lines  ;  then  a  cheer,  — 
the  indescribable  yell,  the  war-whoop,  of  the  rebels  ;  then 
a  rattling  fire  of  musketry,  which  deepened  to  a  volley  ; 
then  there  came  the  roar  of  the  cannonade. 

"  The  ninth  corps  was  prepared.  All  through  the  after- 
noon, they  had  seen  suspicious  movements  along  the  rebel 
lines, —  squads  of  men  marching  and  countermarching.  De- 
serters gave  information  that  an  attack  was  to  be  made. 
Besides,  it  was  supposed  that  Lee  might  attempt  to  compel 
Grant  to  recall  the  fifth  and  second  corps  ;  and,  having  had 
one  surprise,  officers  and  men  were  determined  not  to  be 
caught  napping  a  second  time.  The  picket -line  was 
strengthened,  and  all  the  reserve  batteries  were  brought  up 


BATTLE-SCENES. — ARMY  OF.  THE  POTOMAC.     231 

for  use  in  case  of  emergency.  The  men  were  ordered  to  be 
on  the  alert ;  and  they  were. 

"  I  was  upon  the  west  of  the  hill  in  three  minutes  after 
the  signal-gun  was  fired  ;  and  there  were  at  that  moment  not 
less  than  two  hundred  guns  and  mortars,  Union  and  Rebel,  in 
play.  The  night  was  dark  :  the  clouds  were  hanging  low.  The 
wind  was  from  the  south,  and  rain-drops  were  beginning  to 
fall ;  but  the  incessant  flashing  illumined  the  landscape.  It 
surpassed  all  other  firing  I  ever  witnessed  at  night  in  beauty 
and  grandeur.  I  counted  thirty  shells  in  the  air  at  once, 
rising  hundreds  of  feet  high,  remaining  motionless  a  mo- 
ment, then  descending  as  rapidly  as  they  rose,  exploding, 
and  leaving  handfuls  of  white  cloud  where  they  disappeared. 
The  air  was  filled  with  fiery  arches  crossing  each  other  at 
all  angles,  —  some  from  the  north,  east,  south,  and  west,  — 
passing  and  repassing,  meeting  midway,  and  cut  across  by 
lines  of  fire  streaming  from  the  rifled  cannon,  sending 
swiftly  revolving  bolts  point  blank  into  the  rebel  works. 

"  The  arches  began  with  a  flash,  and  ended  with  a  flash. 
Beneath  these  arches  of  fire,  there  were  thousands  of  muskets 
flashing  over  the  intrenchments.  I  watched  it  for  two  hours, 
till  the  rain  drove  me  to  dryer  quarters.  City  Point  was 
greatly  alarmed.  There  was  riding  to  and  fro  of  orderlies. 
Timid  civilians  packed  up  their  baggage,  and  made  inquiries 
about  how  to  get  away'if  the  rebels  made  their  appearance. 
The  gunboats  in  the  stream  swung  their  broadsides  to  bear 
upon  the  plain  west  of  the  Point.  It  certainly  was  one  of 
the  heaviest  cannonades  from  field  artillery  I  ever  beheld, 
surpassed  only  by  that  of  Gettysburg,  Antietam,  and  Freder- 


232      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

icksburg.  An  officer  of  Gen.  Grant's  staff  says  that  it 
surpassed  any  thing  he  heard  at  Vicksburg  ;  and  yet,  strange 
to  say,  there  were  but  four  or  five  killed  and  about  thirty 
wounded  on  the  Union  side.  Artillery  firing  is  calculated 
to  try  the  nerves  of  timid  men  ;  but  old  soldiers  care  but 
little  about  it.  Sometimes  it  stirs  their  blood.  "While  the 
cannonade  was  at  its  height,  I  heard  a  soldier  who  was 
wounded  in  the  hand  say,  '  I  wish  I  was  down  there  with 
the  boys ! '  There  are  many  thousands  in  the  ranks  just 
like  him  ;  and  they  intend  to  win." 

Petersburg  and  Richmond  were  at  last  in  the  hands  of 
Union  soldiers.  The  rebels  evacuated  them ;  at  least,  the 
rebel  army  departed  from  them  ;  and  the  arch-rebel  fled  in 
haste  and  fear  from  his  capitol.  We  must  again  receive 
"Carleton's"  testimony  concerning  the  occupation  of  those 
two  long -besieged  cities  by  the  Federal  troops.  No  better 
descriptions  of  war-scenes  have  ever  been  afforded  than  those 
from  his  graphic  pen,  and  no  volume  relating  to  the  Rebel- 
lion would  be  complete  without  them.  Mr.  Coffin  wrote  as 
follows :  — 

SPOTTISWOOD  HOUSE,  RICHMOND,  VA., 
April  3,  1865. 

To  the  Editor  of  the  "Boston  Journal"  — 

The  stars  and  stripes  wave  over  Petersburg  and  Rich- 
mond to-night.  There  is  no  longer  a  Confederacy.  Jeff. 
Davis,  Toombs,  Breckinridge,  and  Gen.  Lee,  are  fugitives, 
without  a  country  or  a  home.  The  rebel  army  is  broken 
and  demoralized.  The  whole  Rebellion  in  a  night  has  dis- 
appeared. I  am  in  a  whirl  of  great  events  which  will  be 


BATTLE-SCENES. — AEMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     233 

forever  prominent  in  history.  I  can  give  merely  a  summary 
of  what  has  taken  place  since  the  sun  went  down  last  night. 
In  a  letter  already  forwarded,  I  have  given  an  outline  of  the 
great  movement  of  Gen.  Grant,  which,  under  the  blessing 
of  God,  has  given  us  not  only  a  victory,  but  has  blown 
up  the  whole  Rebellion,  routing  the  rebel  army,  and  sending 
Jeff.  Davis  and  the  whole  rebel  government  out  of  Rich- 
mond at  a  moment's  notice. 

On  Saturday  night,  the  "Five  Forks"  were  carried  by 
Sheridan  and  the  fifth  corps.  It  was  an  unexpected  blow 
to  Lee.  He  ordered  down  in  hot  haste  nearly  all  the  rebel 
troops  north  of  the  James  ;  but  they  were  too  late  to  regain 
what  had  been  lost.  Before  they  arrived  in  Petersburg, 
the  ninth  corps,  at  four  o'clock,  had  four  forts.  Then  the 
second  corps  took  the  fort  south  of  Hatcher's  Run,  on 
the  Boydtown  Road.  Then  the  twenty-fourth  corps  made 
splendid  assault,  and  swept  over  the  embankments  of  two 
other  fortifications ;  and  the  sixth  corps,  with  irresistible 
impetuosity,  broke  through  the  rebel  lines,  and  gained  the 
rear  of  Petersburg.  Through  the  day,  I  watched  the  rolling- 
on  of  the  tide,  the  frantic  efforts  of  the  rebels  to  resist  it, 
the  commotion  in  Petersburg,  the  black  columns  of  smoke 
ascending  from  burning  buildings,  and  knew  that  Richmond 
must -be  ours  to-day  ;  for  Petersburg  is  the  key  to  the  rebel 
capital,  and  the  "  Five  Forks,"  in  this  instance,  proved  to  be 
the  key  of  Petersburg. 

At  three  o'clock  this  morning,  there  was  an  explosion 
which  shook  Richmond  to  its  foundations,  and  which  made 
even  the  beds  at  City  Point  heave  as  if  an  earthquake  had 


234      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PKISON. 

shaken  the  globe.  It  was  the  blowing-up  of  the  iron-clads. 
Those  who  saw  it  describe  it  as  a  sight  surpassingly  grand. 
It  roused  the  army  from  slumber :  the  hosts  surrounding 
Petersburg  needed  no  other  reveille.  The  soldiers  were  on 
their  feet  in  an  instant ;  and  Gen.  Wilcox,  commanding  the 
first  division  of  the  ninth  corps,  accepted  it  as  a  signal  to 
advance.  He  was  lying  east  of  the  city,  his  right  resting  on 
the  Appomattox.  His  men  sprang  forward,  but  found  only 
deserted  works.  The  last  body  of  rebels — the  lingerers, 
who  were  remaining  to  plunder  the  people  of  Petersburg  — 
took  to  their  heels  ;  and  the  division  entered  the  city  without 
opposition. 

The  entire  army  were  instantly  put  in  motion.  Engineers 
hurried  up  with  pontoons,  laid  them  across  the  Appomattox  ; 
and  the  army  began  its  pursuit  of  Lee.  I  entered  the  town 
soon  after  sunrise.  It  was  a  scene  of  indescribable  com- 
motion ;  troops  hurrying  in  from  all  quarters,  cheering, 
swinging  their  caps,  helping  themselves  to  tobacco,  rushing 
on  upon  the  double-quick,  eager  to  overtake  Lee. 

The  colored  population  thronged  the  streets,  swinging 
their  dilapidated  hats,  bowing  low,  and  shouting  "Glory  !  " 
"  Bless  de  Lord ! "  "  I'se  been  a-praying  for  dis  yare  to  hap- 
pen ;  but  I  didn't  spect  it  quite  so  soon."  "  It  is  jes  like  a 
clap  of  thunder,"  said  an  old  negro. 

"  I'se  glad  to  see  you.  I'm  been  trying  and  wishing  and 
praying  dat  de  Lord  would  help  me  get  to  de  Yankees  ;  and 
now  dey  has  come  into  dis  yere  city,"  said  another.  The 
citizens  of  the  place  also  were  in  the  streets,  amazed,  con- 
founded, and  bewildered  at  what  had  happened.  Gen.  Macy, 


BATTLE-SCENES.— ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     235 

of  Massachusetts,  had  a  provost-guard  established  to  pre- 
vent depredations,  and  to  save  the  army  from  demoralization. 
The  rebels  set  all  the  tobacco-warehouses  on  fire,  and  de- 
stroyed their  commissary-stores.  I  took  a  hurried  survey 
of  the  rebel  works  in  front  of  Fort  Steadman,  and  found 
them  very  strong.  Our  mortar-firing  had  been  very  de- 
structive, sometimes  blowing  up  their  bomb-proofs.  The 
ground  is.  completely  honeycombed  by  the  shells  which  have 
been  thrown  from  our  mortars.  The  town  is  not  very  badly 
shattered.  A  great  many  houses  were  struck  yesterday,  and 
many  of  the  people  fled  to  the  excavations  which  had  been 
made  in  the  hillsides. 

Gen.  Grant  was  early  in  the  town  with  his  staff,  with 
the  same  cool,  calm  demeanor  which  he  always  wears.  He 
was  evidently  well  pleased  with  the  aspect  of  affairs. 

My  stay  in  Petersburg  was  brief.  Knowing  that  Rich- 
mond must  be  ours,  although  the  intelligence  that  it  had 
been  evacuated  had  not  reached  Petersburg,  I  made  haste 
to  the  cars  in  season  to  see  President  Lincoln. 

He  went  up  in  a  special  car.  The  soldiers  at  Meade 
Station  caught  a  sight  of  him,  and  cheered  most  heartily.  He 
came  upon  the  platform,  and  bowed.  On  Friday,  he  looked 
careworn.  The  failure  of  Grant's  plans  on  Thursday  troubled 
him  ;  but  the  great  victory  had  smoothed  the  deep  wrinkles. 
He  is  much  worn  by  constant  work,  care,  and  anxiety ;  but 
now  he  can  take  time  to  grow  young  again,  for  the  nation's 
new  lease  of  life  is  arrived.  He  acknowledged  the  enthu- 
siasm and  devotion  of  the  soldiers  by  bowing,  and  by 
thanking  them  for  the  great  victory  they  had  won. 


236      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

Reaching  City  Point  at  noon,  I  was  soon  in  the  saddle, 
galloping  "  on  to  Richmond,"  crossing  the  Appomattox  at 
Broadway,  riding  to  Varina  on  the  James,  crossing  on  the 
pontoons,  and  approaching  the  city  by  the  Xew-Markct  Road, 
overtaking  the  twenty-fifth  corps  on  the  outskirts  of  the  city, 
reaching  the  rebel  capital  at  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

At  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  Major  A.  H.  Stevens  of 
the  Fourth  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  and  provost-marshal  of 
the  twenty-fifth  army  corps,  with  detachments  from  Compa- 
nies E  and  H,  with  Capts.  Pray  and  Percy,  started  upon 
a  reconnoissance  of  the  enemy's  lines.  They  found  them 
evacuated,  and  the  guns  spiked.  Major  Stevens  found 
a  rebel  deserter,  who  piloted  the  detachment  safely  over 
the  torpedoes  which  had  been  planted  in  front  of  the 
enemy's  works.  A  mile  and  a  half  out  from  the  city, 
Major  Stevens  met  a  barouche,  and  five  men,  mounted,  bear- 
ing a  white  flag.  The  party  consisted  of  the  mayor,  Judge 
Meredith  of  the  Confederate-States  Court,  and  other  gen- 
tlemen, who  tendered  the  surrender  of  the  city.  Major 
Stearns  entered  the  place  amid  the  wildest  demonstrations  of 
joy  on  the  part  of  the  colored  people  and  the  poor  whites. 
They  danced  and  shouted  and  prayed,  and  blessed  the  Lord, 
and  thanked  him  that  the  Yankees  had  come.  Major 
Stevens  informed  me  that  some  of  the  colored  people  threw 
themselves  upon  the  ground,  and  prayed  and  laughed  and 
shouted  and  cried  for  joy.  He  saw  several  Union  flags 
thrown  out  from  houses.  He  proceeded  at  once  to  the 
Capitol,  ascended  the  roof,  pulled  down  the  State  flag  which 
was  flying,  and  raised  the  guidons  of  the  two  companies 


BATTLE-SCENES.  —  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     237 

upon  the  building.  So  Massachusetts  was  first  in  Richmond 
and  in  possession  of  the  rebel  Capitol.  Gen.  Weitzel  and 
staff  entered  the  city  at  eight  o'clock,  with  the  whole  of 
his  command  following,  bands  playing,  flags  waving  in 
the  bright  morning  sun,  the  soldiers  cheering,  and  singing 
the  John  Brown  song.  A  delegation  of  the  Christian  Com- 
mission accompanied  them,  and  had  the  blue  flag  of  the 
Commission  waving  from  a  house  before  noon,  ready  to 
minister  to  the  wants  of  the  soldiers. 

Going  back  now  in  the  order  of  time  to  Sunday  fore- 
noon, I  will  endeavor  to  give  a  picture  of  what  transpired  in 
this  city,  as  I  have  the  information  from  the  citizens. 

On  Saturday  night,  a  despatch  was  received  from  Gen. 
Lee  for  Gen.  Ewell  to  send  all  his  available  troops  to 
Petersburg,  as  his  lines  were  threatened.  All  Saturday 
night  they  were  passing  through  the  city,  taking  the  Peters- 
burg Railroad.  The  city  patrols  and  government  battalion 
were  at  the  same  time  ordered  to  the  trenches. 

There  was  a  jubilant  feeling ;  for  it  was  stated  that 
Johnston  had  given  Sherman  the  slip ;  that  he  was  at 
Bellville,  above  Weldon,  with  thirty  thousand  men;  and 
Hardee  was  on  the  Danville  Road  with  twelve  thousand, 
making  a  force  of  forty-two  thousand,  which  would  fall 
upon  Grant's  left  at  Hatcher's  Run,  and  smash  him  to 
pieces.  It  was  going  to  be  Manassas  over  again.  It  was 
an  execution  of  a  plan  which  I  discovered  as  a  possible 
movement  of  Johnston  in  a  letter  written  last  week.  It 
was  the  best  thing  that  Johnston  could  do  ;  but  he  was  too 
late.  The  divine  Providence  which  let  Johnston  reach 


238      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON: 

Manassas  on  Sunday,  July  21,  1861,  did  not  let  him  reach 
Hatcher's  Run  on  Sunday,  April  2,  1865. 

Perhaps  Jeff.  Davis  has  had  some  misgivings  as  to  the 
ability  of  Lee  to  hold  Grant  in  check.  There  is  no  doubt 
he  disposed  of  his  plate  two  weeks  ago.  Mrs  Davis  and 
the  children  left  Richmond  on  Thursday  last ;  but  Jeff, 
remained.  He  was  at  church  on  Sunday  morning.  The 
minister  was  preaching,  when  an  orderly  entered,  and  handed 
a  note  to  the  President  of  the  Confederacy.  It  was  a  de- 
spatch from  Lee  that  his  lines  were  broken  in  three  places, 
and  that  Richmond  must  be  evacuated.  It  was  as  if  a  hand 
had  written  once  more,  "  Mene,  mene,  tekel.  .  .  .  Thou  art 
weighed  and  found  wanting :  thy  kingdom  is  defeated." 

He  turned  pale  ;  but,  taking  his  hat,  he  hurriedly  left  the 
church.  The  hour  of  twelve  came.  The  people,  as  they 
passed  the  Capitol  on  their  way  home  from  church,  saw 
men  hurriedly  bringing  out -the  State  papers,  piling  them 
upon  the  ground,  and  setting  them  on  fire.  It  was  the  first 
intimation  they  had  that  the  city  was  to  be  evacuated. 

There  was  commotion  everywhere,  among  the  officials, 
among  the  soldiers,  among  the  citizens,  and  among  the 
women  :  trunks  were  packed  in  hot  haste  ;  carpet-bags  were 
stuffed  in  a  moment.  There  was  a  stampede  for  the 
Danville  Depot.  Jeff.  Davis  went  in  the  first  train, 
leaving  his  housekeeper  in  charge  of  his  house,  important 
papers  in  his  private  room  upon  the  table.  Such  hurry  and 
confusion  never  were  seen  in  Richmond  before.  Carriages 
were  driven  furiously  to  the  depot.  Citizens  fled  toward 
Lynchburg  on  horseback,  in  wagons,  iu  coaches,  and  on  foot. 


BATTLE-SCENES. — ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     239 

So  passed  the  afternoon  and  the  night.  People  who  could 
not  get  away  did  not  dare  to  go  to  bed  ;  for  the  order  was 
issued  to  withdraw  all  the  troops  at  daybreak,  spike  the 
guns,  and  blow  up  the  gunboats.  They  were  afraid  that 
the  city  would  be  fired  by  Gen.  Ewell,  who  swore  that  the 
Yankees  should  find  only  a  heap  of  smouldering  ruins. 
They  were  afraid  also  that  the  rearguard  would  give  them- 
selves up  to  pillage.  It  was  a  horrible  night,  —  a  night 
which  tires  nerves,  which  makes  young  men  grow  old.  I 
speak  now  not  only  of  those  who  are  hostile  in  feeling,  but 
of  those  who  longed  to  see  the  stars  and  stripes  once  more 
in  Eichmond.  They  feared  the  transition  period,  —  the 
hour  of  no  government. 

At  four  o'clock,  the  iron-clads  one  after  another  were 
blown  up,  shaking  the  city,  rattling  the  glass  from  the 
windows,  jarring  down  chimneys,  and  almost  taking  away 
the  breath  of  men  in  the  streets.  At  the  same  moment,  the 
torch  was  applied  to  several  unfinished  rams  and  boats  on 
the  shore,  also  to  several  tobacco-warehouses. 

Gen.  Breckinridge,  the  Secretary  of  War,  protested  to 
Gen.  Ewell  that  it  would  be  an  act  of  inhumanity  to  fire  the 
city ;  but  Ewell,  who  is  a  brutal  man,  who  is  brutal  to  his 
soldiers,  coarse  and  rude  in  all  his  acts,  swore  that  the  to- 
bacco should  be  destroyed,  and  the  arsenal.  He  sent  a  man 
to  fire  the  Tredegar  Iron-works  :  but  the  man  in  charge  said, 
"  These  are  private  works,  sir ;  and,  if  you  undertake  to  fire 
them,  I'll  shoot  you."  The  officer  charged  with  the  execution 
of  the  burning  withdrew ;  but  the  tobacco-houses,  and  the 
arsenal,  and  a  large  flouring-mill  on  the  bank  of  the  river, 


240      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

were  fired  at  five  o'clock.  It  was  at  that  hour  that  Ewell 
with  his  rabble,  and  Breckinridge,  mounted  their  horses,  and 
rode  out  of  the  city  towards  the  west,  turning  their  backs 
upon  what  had  been  the  rebel  capital.  Like  assassins, 
burglars,  and  villains  of  the  deepest  dye,  after  the  robberies 
and  murders,  they  applied  the  torch  to  the  place  where  they 
had  revelled  in  crime,  and  disappeared  from  the  place, 
carrying  with  them  the  execrations  of  all,  —  of  foes,  and  of 
those,  who,  till  this  mornmg,  were  their  friends.  History  will 
hold  Breckinridge  responsible  for  the  act  of  burning  the 
city.  He  was  Ewell's  superior  ;  was  in  the  city  till  the  last 
moment:  he  could  have  prevented  the  act,  but  did  not. 
How  fallen  !  In  1856  he  was  Vice-President  of  the  United 
States,  and  no  man  had  a  fairer  prospect  than  he  of  honor. 
Four  years  ago  he  turned  his  back  upon  his  country,  fled 
from  the  city  of  Louisville  on  a  dark  and  stormy  night,  and 
became  a  traitor,  a  rebel.  This  morning  he  became  an 
incendiary,  and  to-night  he  is  fleeing  on  horseback  to  escape 
falling  into  the  hands  of  Sheridan's  troopers.  His  game  is 
played.  He  threw  honor,  reputation,  family,  name,  every 
thing,  into  the  Rebellion,  and  against  his  country,  and  has 
lost  all.  But  to  resume  the  narrative  :  — 

When  Major  Stevens  entered  the  city,  the  flames  were 
leaping  from  house  to  house,  and  devouring  block  after 
block  in  the  centre  of  the  town.  Capt.  Percy  went  to  see 
about  the  arsenal,  but  found  it  on  fire.  It  contained  several 
thousand  shells,  which  began  to  explode,  scattering  fire- 
brands in  every  direction,  filling  the  air  with  iron  frag- 
ments, driving  the  people  from  that  section  of  the  city. 


BATTLE-SCENES.  —  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     241 

The  poor  people  helped  themselves  to  the  commissary 
supplies,  broke  open  stores,  and  made  free  with  whatever 
they  saw.  Some  of  the  citizens  rushed  to  the  liquor-stores, 
and,  with  commendable  forethought,  dashed  in  the  heads  of 
several  hundred  barrels  of  whiskey. 

The  prisoners  in  the  Libby  Prison  were  removed  on 
Saturday  evening,  being  sent  off  by  the  Danville  Road. 
The  flames  spread  from  the  tobacco-warehouses  to  the 
Libby,  and  that  prison-house  is  *now  nothing  but  ruins. 
The  flames  spread  towards  the  Penitentiary,  and  the  con- 
victs were  set  at  liberty.  The  building  was  burned,  and 
the  city  has  now  this  class  of  depraved  men  at  large. 

On,  on,  from  building  to  building,  from  warehouse  to 
warehouse,  from  store  to  hotel,  from  hotel  to  bank,  to  the 
newspaper-offices,  to  the  churches,  all  along  Main  Street, 
from  near  the  Spottiswood  House  to  the  eastern  end  of  the 
town,  back  to  the  river,  to  the  bridges  across  the  James,  up 
to  the  large  stone  fire-proof  building  erected  by  the  United 
States  for  a  post-office,  now  full  of  Confederate  promises  to 
pay,  all  around  this  building,  on  both  sides  of  it,  up  to  the 
Capitol  Square,  the  flames  leaped,  licking  up  all  the  business 
part  of  the  city.  Strange  to  say,  the  Spottiswood  Hotel  is 
saved.  I  look  out  from  my  window  upon  a  mass  of  ruin, 
of  tall  chimneys,  of  tottering  walls  ;  upon  streets  impassable 
from  piles  of  brick  and  stones  and  rubbish ;  upon  smoking 
ruins.  Richmond  is  a  sea  of  fire  to-night.  It  is  the  most 
complete  scene  of  devastation  I  ever  beheld,  excepting 
Charleston :  there  the  streets  echoed  only  to  my  own  foot- 
stepa  and  to  the  cry  of  buzzards  ;  but  here  I  look  down 
16 


242      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

from  my  window  to-night  upon  a  woe-begone  crowd  of 
human  beings,  gazing  at  the  ruin?,  moving  here  and  there, 
gathering  up  broken  furniture.  Elaborate  cornices,  marble 
mantles,  broken  looking-glasses,  piles  of  bedding,  chairs, 
tables,  barrels,  and  boxes,  are  piled  in  Capitol  Square. 
The  ground  is  thick  with  feathers,  with  broken  crockery, 
with  scattered  books  and  papers,  debris  of  all  kinds.  Millions 
of  dollars  will  not  cover  the  loss.  All  the  banks,  all  the 
newspaper-offices,  except  the  ""Whig"  and  the  "  Examiner," 
the  bridges  across  the  Appomattox,  Dr.  Reed's  Presbyterian 
church,  hundreds  of  houses  and  acres  of  ground, — the  heart 
of  the  city  is  eaten  out. 

Four  years  ago,  on  the  second  Sunday  in  April,  there 
was  great  rejoicing  in  Richmond  when  the  flame  of  war 
was  lighted  around  Sumter ;  but  what  a  contrast  is  the 
scene  to-day !  Men  who  swung  their  hats  ami  hurrahed  on 
that  occasion,  who  celebrated  it  by  drunken  orgies,  who 
looked  forward  to  dominion  and  empire,  walk  these  streets 
to-night  penniless,  poverty-stricken,  broken-hearted,  behold- 
ing a  future  illumined  by  no  ray  of  hope.  The  flame  of 
war  has  consumed  them  at  last.  Loud  and  long  and  terri- 
ble are  their  execrations  of  Jeff.  Davis  and  Ewell ;  but  they 
forget  the  part  they  have  taken,  that  they  urged  on  secession, 
hurrahed  for  it,  shouted  for  it,  prayed  for  it,  gave  thanks 
for  the  victory  of  Manassas.  They  forget  that  God's  throne 
is  built  on  justice, — justice  on  earth  as  well  as  in  heaven. 

When  Major  Stevens  entered  the  city,  the  people  were 
beholding  the  fire,  and  making  little  effort  to  stay  its 
progress.  He  issued  an  order  calling  upon  the  police  and 


BATTLE-SCENES.—  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.     243 

fire  department  to  set  about  extinguishing  the  flames. 
Citizens  were  pressed  into  the  service  ;  and  thus  the  flames 
are  stopped  at  last. 

My  note-book  is  full  of  other  events  ;  but  the  mail-mes- 
senger ia  waiting,  and  I  come  to  an  abrupt  close  for  to-day. 

CARLETON.* 


Many  and  important  incidents  of  the  war  are  necessarily 
left  out.  Sherman's  grand  march,  so  ably  and  fully  de- 
scribed by  Major  Nichols,f  deserves  to  be  remembered 
through  all  time  ;  and  the  valor  of  his  men  at  Atlanta  will 
will  never  be  forgotten.  But  of  all  this,  and  of  Lee's  sur- 
render to  Gen.  Grant,  and  many  another  episode  connected 
with  the  closing  of  the  war  and  the  dawn  of  peace,  which, 
like  the  sun-rays  on  the  ancient  statue,  evoked  the  music  of 
the  joy-bells  throughout  the  land,  these  pages  may  not  speak. 

"We  have  reason  to  thank  God  for  the  glorious  achieve- 
ments of  the  Potomac  Army,  and  impartial  history  will 
assign  to  it  a  high  and  noble  place. 

*  The  author  of  this  volume  feels  under  great  obligation  to  C.  C.  Coffin, 
Esq.,  for  kind  permission  to  use  freely  in  its  preparation  whatever  he  may 
have  written.  The  whole  country  is  under  obligation  to  him  for  the  finely 
written  and  reliable  letters  which  have  made  the  name  of  "  Carleton  "  a 
household  word;  and  his  books,  "  My  Days  and  Nights  on  the  Battle-field," 
"  Following  the  Flag,"  &c.,  are  acceptable  everywhere. 

t  Story  of  the  Great  March,  by  Major  Nichols:  Harper  &  Bros. 


244      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 


CHAPTER    V. 

BATTLE-SCENES. — WEST   AND    SOUTH-WEST. 

'  By  the  flag  of  my  country,  through  weal  or  through  woe, 
On  the  tempest- tossed  ocean  while  battling  the  foe. 
In  the  morning  of  hope  when  with  victory  'tis  crowned, 
Through  the  night  of^despair  when  with  mourning  'tis  bound, 
Through  Maine's  dreary  winter,  on  Texas'  hot  sand, 
By  the  flag  of  my  country  undaunted  I'll  stand."  * 

'HILE  the  patriot  soldiers  of  the  Potomac  Army 
were  bravely  defending  the  flag,  the  soldiers  of 
the  Western  armies  were  no  less  valiant.  Fort 
Donelson,  Pittsburg  Landing,  Shiloh,  Vicksburg,  and  other 
now  historic  names,  telling  of  bloodshed  and  of  glory,  bring 
up  the  memory  of  patriotism  and  of  valor  such  as  might 
make  any  people  proud.  The  attempt  will  be  made  in  this 
chapter  to  present  a  few  pictures  of  battle  and  other  scenes 
in  connection  with  Western  and  South-western  campaigns. 

One  of  the  important  battles  fought  by  our  Western  army 
was  that  of  Fort  Donelson,  in  February,  1862.  A  writer 

*  The  first  stanza  of  a  song  by  J.  M.  F.,  dedicated  to  that  gallant  stan- 
dard-bearer of  the  Second  Massachusetts,  who,  when  five  ensigns  had  been 
shot  down,  seized  the  tattered  flag,  and  bore  it  on  to  victory. 


BATTLE-SCENES. —  WEST  AND  SOUTH-WEST,      245 

in  the  "  Chicago  Post"  gives  the  following  description  of 
the  final  struggle  and  the  victory :  — 

"FIELD  OF  BATTLE,  FORT  DONELSOIT, 
"  Sunday  Night,  Feb.  16. 

"  The  day  is  ours.  All  honor  and  glory  to  our  brave  vol- 
unteers of  the  "West !  They  have  wiped  out  the  disgrace  of 
Bull  Run.  They  have  taken  a  position  stronger  than  Ma- 
nassas,  and  gained  a  position  more  important  in  its  results 
and  its  moral  effect  than  any  that  has  yet  been  won.  But 
they  have  bled  terribly  to  gain  it ;  and  the  blackening 
corpses  that  strew  the  heights  around  this  fortification  fur- 
nish terrible  evidence  of  the  unflinching  courage  and  awful 
determination  with  which  they  fought. 

"  How  shall  I  describe  that  fight,  —  that  series  of  terrible 
engagements  constituting  one  grand  battle,  beginning  on 
Thursday  morning,  and  terminating  in  glorious  triumph 
on  the  Sabbath  morn  ?  No  one  person  could  behold  it  all, 
nor  in  any  possible  way  qualify  himself  to  testify  as  an 
original  witness  to  the  many  events  that  were  transpiring  at 
one  and  the  same  time  on  different  parts  of  the  extensive 
and  mountainous  field.  Those  who  have  seen  both,  say 
that  the  ground,  in  its  unevenness  and  wooded  character, 
much  resembles  that  of  Mauassas,  but  that  the  inequalities 
are  greater,  the  hills  higher,  the  ravines  deeper,  and 
roads  (where  there  were  any)  muddier.  It  was  a  region 
extending  for  some  five  or  six  miles  around  the  extensive 
fortifications. 

"  In  order  to  gain  a  correct  idea  of  the  battle,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  have  a  correct  idea  of  the  character  and  extent 


246      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

of  the  rebel  fortifications.  The  fort  (so  called,  though  prop- 
erly an  intrenched  camp)  crowns  the  summit  of  a  hill  one 
hundred  feet  high,  on  the  left  bank  of  the  stream,  just  where 
its  general  course  turns  toward  the  north.  It  encloses  an 
area  of  about  a  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  The  hill  slopes 
gradually  down  to  the  river  ;  and  on  its  face,  some  thirty  or 
forty  feet  above  the  water,  is  a  range  of  water-batteries, 
mounting  twelve  guns,  —  eight  thirty-two  pounders,  one  ten- 
inch  shell-gun  (manufactured  at  the  Tredegar  "Works,  Rich- 
mond), one  immense  rifled  gun  (Jfrom  the  same  works),  and 
two  sixty-four-pound  howitzers. 

"  These  constitute  the  defences  of  the  place  against  as- 
sault by  water.  On  all  other  sides  of  the  fort,  the  ground 
sinks  immediately  into  a  deep  ravine,  where,  and  on  the  op- 
posite side-hills,  the  ground  is  covered  with  felled  trees. 
Across  this  ravine,  intrenchments  and  ranges  of  rifle-pits 
are  thrown  up  on  the  surrounding  hills,  in  such  a  way,  that 
each  hill  is  made  an  independent  redan,  yet  supported  by  and 
supporting  each  of  its  fellows.  I  am  told  that  the  engineer, 
Capt.  Dixon,  who  constructed  the  works,  selected  as  his 
plan  that  of  the  famous  Russian  engineer,  Totleben,  for  the 
works  in  the  Crimea.  It  is  said  by  skilful  engineers  in  our 
army,  that,  if  the  rebels  had  had  a  force  sufficient  to  man  all 
parts  of  the  fortifications,  an  army  of  three  hundred  thou- 
sand could  not  have  dislodged  them. 

"  But  their  strength  was  their  weakness.  Instead  of  hav- 
ing an  army  of  fifty  thousand,  the  least  number  that  would 
be  required,  they  had  less  than  twenty-four  thousand.  Many 
of  their  officers  say  they  had  only  twelve  thousand  ;  but  the 


BA  TTLE-SCENES.  —  WEST  A  ND  SO  UTH-  WEST.      247 

figures  show  fully  fifteen  thousand.  This  force  was  insuffi- 
cient to  defend  all  parts  of  the  extensive  works  against  a 
force  of  more  than  double  their  number. 

"  But  the  Southerners  fought  bravely  and  desperately,  if 
not  at  all  times  quite  honestly.  When,  on  the  first  day  of 
the  battle,  our  infantry  on  the  right  attempted  to  storm  their 
position  on  one  of  their  fortified  hills,  they  repulsed  them, 
because  they  were  able  to  shoot  in  safety  from  rifle-pits  ; 
while  our  soldiers  were  in  the  open  field,  or  sheltered  only 
by  thin  woods. 

"  But,  when  they  came  out  of  their  pits  after  us,  we 
stood  on  equal  terms ;  and  our  boys,  after  some  hard 
fighting,  drove  them  back.  If  our  soldiers  did  not  stand 
their  bullets  where  they  had  no  chance  to  play  back,  theirs 
did  not  stand  our  bullets  in  a  fair  stand-up  fight.  And  the 
next  day  showed  that  the  rascals  were  not  willing  to  take 
their  chances  of  being  shot,  even  in  their  rifle-pits  ;  for  they 
had  placed  a  parapet  of  logs  on  their  breastworks,  with  a 
crack  wide  enough  to  shoot  through,  thus  protecting  their 
heads  from  the  never-failing  aim  of  Birge's  sharpshooters. 
These  fellows,  with  their  heavy  Western  rifles,  would  clip 
the  whiskers  of  a  squirrel  at  eight  hundred  yards. 

"  The  results  of  the  fighting  on  Thursday  were,  that  our 
troops  were  repulsed  on  the  right  flank,  and  the  enemy  gained 
possession  of  the  ground  which  Gen.  McClernand  had  occu- 
pied for  three  days.  The  gunboat  'Carondelet'  had  wasted 
about  a  hundred  shot  and  shell  at  long  range,  without  doing 
them  any  damage.  The  enemy  were  highly  elated  and  con- 
fident. 


248      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

"  On  Friday,  ten  thousand  fresh  troops  arrived,  and  en- 
tered the  field ;  but  fighting  between  the  infantry  was  not 
resumed  till  towards  evening.  The  gunboats  opened  their 
batteries  at  three,  P.M.,  and  poured  a  terrific  storm  of  shot 
and  shell  until  half-past  four,  when  two  of  them  were  tem- 
porarily disabled,  and  the  cannonading  ceased.  The  rebels 
fired  three  shots  afterward,  and  then  set  up  a  yell  of  exulta- 
tion which  shook  the  hills  around. 

"  About  three  o'clock,  P.M.,  the  turning-point  of  the  strug- 
gle arrived.  Gen.  Smith,  who  commanded  our  left  wing, 
ordered  a  charge  upon  the  enemy's  breastworks  in  front  of 
him.  The  Second  Iowa  and  Seventh  Illinois  and  another 
regiment  dashed  up  the  declivity  in  face  of  the  enemy's 
musketry,  drove  the  rascals  out  of  their  pits,  and  dashed 
over  the  breastworks.  Other  regiments  followed ;  and 
speedily  the  hill  was  in  our  possession.  The  enemy  was 
completely  outflanked.  The  position  commanded  his  line  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  render  it  impossible  for  him  to  hold  the 
neighboring  heights.  He  must  abandon  his  rifle-pits,  and 
fight  honestly  in  the  open  field,  or  retreat  into  his  fort. 

"  Nobody  expected,  however,  that  he  was  going  to  give 
up  quite  so  soon.  Our  soldiers  went  to  their  cold  rest,  con- 
fident in  their  ability  to  whip  the  rebels  the  next  day ;  but 
they  expected  to  fight  for  it.  Not  a  man  in  the  army  but 
expected  with  the  coming  daylight  to  snatch  his  musket,  and 
re-enter  the  combat.  There  had  been  during  the  bloody 
day  one  circumstance,  which,  to  many  of  the  thinking  ones, 
cast  a  shade  of  gloom  upon  their  spirits.  The  gunboats 


BA  TTLE-SCENES.  —  WEST  AND  SO  UTH-  WEST.       249 

had  not  renewed  the  bombardment.  Why  was  it?  "Were 
they  disabled?  or  were  the  rebel  batteries  too  much  for 
them?  In  either  case,  land  forces  must  fight  and  con- 
quer alone.  They  laid  down  to  sleep  feeling  that  they  could 
do  it. 

"  At  daylight  Sunday  morning,  Commodore  Foote  opened 
a  gun  upon  the  fort.  Three  or  four  shots  were  fired  ;  but  no 
response  was  heard.  Then  it  was  reported  a  white  flag  was 
flying,  and  then  that  the  enemy  had  got  away  during  the 
night.  A  tug  started  with  a  flag  of  truce,  and  ran  up  to  the 
fort ;  and  the  news  came  back,  that  the  rebels  had  surren- 
dered. Such  was  the  fact.  The  rebel  commanders,  Pillow, 
Floyd,  Buckner,  and  Bushrod  Johnson,  had  held  a  council  of 
war  during  the  night,  at  which  it  had  been  decided  to  sur- 
render ;  and  no  sooner  had  this  decision  been  arrived  at, 
than  Floyd,  true  to  his  instincts,  took  his  brigade,  and  ran 
away. 

"  Pillow  also  '  skedaddled,'  as  did  a  portion  of  Forest's 
Kentucky  cavalry  brigade.  Such  was  Pillow's  haste  to  de- 
part, that  (a  rebel  officer  tells  me)  he  knocked  two  men  off 
the  boat  with  his  sword  who  were  trying  to  go  with  him. 
Buckner  and  Bushrod  Johnson  remained,  and  are  among 
our  prisoners. 

"  The  spectacle  presented  as  our  troops  entered  the  place 
was  one  to  which  no  description  can  do  justice.  As  our 
fleet  of  transports,  preceded  by  the  gunboats,  moved  slowly 
up  toward  the  fort,  the  rebel  soldiers  collected  in  groups 
and  squads,  and  gazed  upon  them  in  apparent  wonder." 

A   writer   in   the   "New -York  Tribune"  thus   depicts 


250       FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

the  horrors  of  war  as  displayed  at  the  Fort-Donelson 
battle  :  — 

"  The  distance  between  the  two  armies  during  the  three 
days,  in  many  cases,  was  so  slight,  that  we  could  not  bring  off 
our  dead ;  and  the  wounded  who  could  neither  walk  nor 
crawl  remained  where  they  fell  until  Sunday  morning,  some 
even  till  late  that  day.  A  prisoner  told  me  that  some  Ger- 
mans lay  wounded  before  their  earthworks  on  Friday  night, 
calling  for  help  and  water,  and  that  they  went  out  to  bring 
them  in  ;  but,  it  being  moonlight,  our  men  fired  on  them,  and 
they  were  obliged  to  go  back,  it  was  early  Sunday  morn- 
ing when  they  ventured  out  again,  and  brought  them  in. 
They  were  still  alive,  but  blue  with  cold,  and  covered  with 
frost  and  snow.  They  did  what  they  could  for  them  ;  but  it 
was  not  much,  and  for  this  reason :  For  a  week,  they  had 
been  guarding  their  earthworks,  three  miles  in  length  ;  and, 
from  Thursday,  they  had  been  out  in  force  night  and  day. 
Many  of  them  in  the  rifle-pits  froze  their  feet  and  hands. 
On  the  boats,  I  saw  young  officers  whose  slaves  pulled  off 
their  stockings  ;  and,  as  they  did  so,  the  skin  from  various  parts 
of  their  feet  came  along  with  them.  In  passing  from  their 
works  to  their  quarters,  they  frequently  had  to  wade  sluices 
waist-deep,  and  then  lie  down  to  sleep  in  their  wet  clothes. 
The  least  result  was  violent  cold.  In  addition,  our  gunboats 
kept  them  in  constant  alarm,  and  their  artillerists  were  worn 
out  with  constant  watching, 

"  The  Eleventh  Illinois,  suddenly  coming  upon  the  enemy, 
was  forced  to  retreat  beneath  an  awful  shower  of  balls. 
The  major  then  called  for  volunteers  to  bring  off  the  wounded. 


BATTLE-SCENES.  —  WEST  AND  SOUTH-WEST.      251 

Twenty  or  thirty  started,  crawling  ;  and  they  brought  off  a 
few,  but  some  of  them  were  wounded  in  the  attempt.  Again 
volunteers  were  called  for ;  and  they  approached  amid  an 
awful  fire,  when  one  of  our  wounded  beckoned  them  away. 
The  attempt  was  madness.  Just  then,  the  leaves  took 
fire ;  and,  covered  by  the  smoke,  our  men  rushed  in  and 
saved  a  few  more :  but  their  clothes  had  taken  fire,  and 
some  perished  miserably.  Those  who  were  left,  of  course, 
perished. 

"  The  severity  of  the  cold  is  well  illustrated  by  the  state- 
ment made  by  our  field-officers,  who  rode  from  post  to  post 
during  the  night,  that,  in  the  morning,  their  clothes  were  so 
stiff,  that,  could  they  have  been  taken  off,  they  would  have 
stood  alone.  It  is  doubtful  whether  suffering  was  greater, 
though  it  was  longer,  in  the  retreat  of  the  French  from 
Moscow. 

"  Most  of  the  horses  of  many  of  our  batteries  were  shot 
down.  They  had  been  well  trained,  and  stood  fire  well.  The 
horse  is  the  most  intelligent  of  all  animals.  He  has  a  think- 
ing eye  :  it  sparkles  with  inquiry  as  you  approach  him.  He 
loves  music  ;  and,  in  the  horrors  of  battle,  he  is  not  afraid. 
Herodotus  calls  the  horse  a  stranger ;  perhaps  because  he 
was  so  little  understood. 

"  Saturday  morning,  when  the  enemy  came  out  in  heavy 
columns.  :md  three  times  were  driven  back  with  tremendous 
slaughtor,  some  batteries  were  ordered  to  positions  which 
the  em- my  had  a  little  while  before  occupied.  The  horses 
hesitated  not  to  tread  on  the  wounded,  dying,  and  dead  ;  and 
the  ponderous  artillery-wheels  crushed  limbs  and  skulls, 


252      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

It  was  an  awful  sight  to  behold  weak,  wounded  men  lifting 
their  feeble  hands  beneath  the  horses'  hoofs.  Sighs,  at  least, 
are  due  to  the  noble  horses  which  fell.  Going  over  this  part 
of  the  field  on  Sunday,  where  the  dead  lay  thickly,  andv 
where  the  track  of  the  artillery  could  be  traced,  some  words 
of  the  old  poet  came  to  mind  :  — 

'  So  the  fierce  coursers,  as  the  chariot  rolls, 
Tread  down  whole  ranks,  and  crush  our  heroes'  souls ; 
Dashed  from  their  hoofs,  while  o'er  the  dead  they  fly, 
Black,  bloody  drops  the  smoking  chariot  dye ; 
The  spiky  wheels  through  hear*  of  carnage  tore, 
And  thick  the  groaning  axles  dropped  with  gore.' 

"  The  town  of  Dover,  containing  perhaps  one  hundred 
houses,  must  be  considered  a  part  of  the  battle-field,  as  it 
was  within  the  rebel  lines.  Every  room  contained  sick, 
wounded,  or  dead  men.  The  inhabitants  had  fled.  Some 
of  our  soldiers  were  sacking  it,  contrary  to  express  orders. 
I  saw  plates,  knives  and  forks,  and  articles  of  fine  fe- 
male wearing  apparel,  on  the  floor ;  bloody  rags  were  every- 
where, and  often  pieces  of  raw  human  flesh  cut  away  by  the 
surgeons  ;  and  you  could  not  open  a  door  without  hearing 
groans.  No  matter  how  grand  or  how  low,  how  retired  or 
how  public,  the  house  might  be,  it  was  all  the  same.  Thun- 
der and  lightning,  cholera  or  other  pestilence,  or  the  most 
awful  earthquake,  could  not  have  caused  such  a  scene  of 
horror." 

These  are  horrible  pictures  ;  but,  alas !  they  are  true. 
Yet  while  our  gallant  defenders  were  full  of  pluck,  and  true 
to  their  country,  on  the  battle-field,  they  were  not  inhuman  ; 


BA  TTLE-SCENES.  —  WEST  AND  SO UTH- WEST.     253 

nor  were  there  instances  wanting  of  humane  action  on  the 
part  of  both  Federals  and  Rebels.  Both  were,  doubtless, 
sometimes  humane  and  hospitable,  except  in  the  stern  hour 
of  conflict.  B.  F.  Taylor,  in  the  "  Chicago  Journal," 
says, — 

"Now  and  then  a  little  human  smile  brightens  war's 
grim  visage,  like  a  flash  of  sunshine  in  an  angry  day.  I 
remember  one  that  I  wish  I  could  daguer retype.  The 
amenities  of  battle  are  so  few,  how  precious  they  become  ! 
Let  me  give  you  that  little  '  touch  of  nature  that  makes  the 
whole  world  kin.'  A  few  months  ago,  the  Third  Ohio,  be- 
longing to  Streight's  command,  entered  a  town  en  route  for 
Richmond,  prisoners  of  war.  Worn  down,  famished,  hearts 
heavy,  and  knapsacks  light,  they  were  herded,  like  dumb, 
driven  cattle,  to  wear  out  the  night.  A  rebel  regiment,  the 
Fifty-fourth  Virginia,  being  camped  near  by,  many  of  its 
men  came  strolling  about  to  see  the  sorry  show  of  poor 
supperless  Yankees.  They  did  not  stare  long,  but  hastened 
away  to  camp,  and  came  streaming  back  with  coffee-kettles, 
corn-bread,  and  bacon,  the  best  they  had,  and  all  they  had ; 
and  straightway  little  fires  began  to  twinkle,  bacon  was  suf- 
fering the  martyrdom  of  the  saint  of  the  gridiron,  and  the 
aroma  of  coffee  rose  like  the  fragrant  cloud  of  a  thank- 
offering.  Loyal  guests  and  rebel  hosts  were  mingled.  Our 
hungry  boys  ate,  and  were  satisfied ;  and  for  that  one  night 
our  common  humanity  stood  acquitted  of  the  heavy  charge 
of  total  depravity  with  which  it  is  blackened.  Night  and 
our  boys  departed  together.  The  prisoners  in  due  time 
were  exchanged,  and  are  now  encamped  within  rifle-shot  of 


254      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

Kelly's  Ferry,  on  the  bank  of  the  Tennessee.  But  often, 
around  the  camp-fires,  I  have  heard  them  talk  of  the  Fifty- 
fourth  Virginia,  that  proved  themselves  so  immeasurably 
better  '  than  a  brother  afar  off; '  heard  them  wonder  where 
they  were,  and  discuss  the  chance  that  they  might  ever  meet. 
"When  they  denounced  the  '  damnable  Johnny  Rebs,'  the 
name  of  one  regiment,  you  may  be  sure,  was  tucked  away 
in  a  snug  place,  quite  out  of  the  range  of  hard  words. 

"  And  now  comes  the  sequel,  that  makes  a  beautiful  poem 
of  the  whole  of  it.  On  the  day  of  the  storming  of  Mission 
Ridge,  among  the  prisoners  wis  the  Fifty-fourth  Virginia  ; 
and  on  Friday  it  trailed  away  across  the  pontoon-bridge 
and  along  the  mountain-road,  nine  miles,  to  Kelly's  Ferry. 
Arrived  there,  it  settled  upon  the  bank,  like  wasps,  await- 
ing the  boat.  A  week  elapsed,  acd  your  correspondent  fol- 
lowed suit.  The  major  of  the  Third  Ohio  welcomed  me  to 
the  warm  hospitalities  of  his  quarters  ;  and  almost  the  first 
thing  he  said  was,  '  You  should  have  been  here  last  Friday  : 
you  missed  the  denoument  of  the  beautiful  little  drama  of 
ours,  whose  first  act  I  have  told  you.  Will  you  believe  ?  — 
the  Fifty-fourth  has  been  here.  Some  of  our  boys  were  on 
duty  at  the  landing  when  it  arrived.  "  What  regiment  is 
this  ?"  they  asked  ;  and,  when  the  reply  was  given,  they  start- 
ed for  camp  like  quarter  horses,  and  shouted,  as  they  rushed 
in  and  out  among  the  smoky  cones  of  the  Sibleys,  "  The  Fifty- 
fourth  Virginia  is  at  the  ferry ! "  The  camp  swarmed  in  three 
minutes.  Treasures  of  coffee,  bacon,  sugar,  beef,  preserved 
peaches,  every  thing,  were  turned  out  in  force  ;  and  you  may 
believe  they  went  laden  with  plenty,  at  the  double-quick,  to 


BA  TTLE-SCEXES.  —  WEST  AND  SO UTH-  WEST.       255 

the  ferry.'  The  same  old  scene,  and  yet  how  strangely 
changed  !  —  the  twinkling  fires,  the  grateful  incense,  the  hun- 
gry captives  :  but  guests  and  hosts  had  changed  places  ;  the 
starlit  folds  floated  aloft  for  the  bonny  blue  flag  ;  a  debt  of 
honor  was  paid  to  the  uttermost  farthing.  If  they  had  a 
triumph  of  arms  at  Chattanooga,  hearts  were  trumps  at 
Kelly's  Ferry.  And  there  it  was  that  horrid  war  smiled  a 
human  smile  ;  and  a  grateful,  gentle  light  flickered  for  a  mo- 
ment on  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  And  yet,  should  the  Fif- 
ty-fourth Virginia  return  to-morrow,  with  arms  in  their 
hands,  to  the  Tennessee,  the  Third  Ohio  would  meet  them 
on  the  bank,  fight  them  foot  to  foot,  and  beat  them  back 
with  rain  so  pitiless,  the  river  would  run  red." 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  by  "  Carleton,"  giving 
credit  to  some  Western  regiments  which  fought  at  Mill 
Spring.*,  Ky.,  may  be  of  interest  to  many  readers :  — 

"  Exaggerated  statements  have  been  made  relative  to 
Zollicoffer's  force.  I  think,  from  all  information  received, 
that  he  had  about  seven  thousand  men  in  the  fight.  The 
forces  of  Gen.  Thomas  engaged  were  the  Tenth  Indiana 
(which  sustained  the  fight  nearly  an  hour  before  re-enforced), 
Fourth  Minnesota,  Ninth  Ohio,  and  Watford's  Cavalry. 
Other  regiments  came  up  just  as  the  rebels  fled  ;  but  these 
regiments  achieved  the  victory.  Each  one  of  these  regiments 
arrived  upon  the  ground  in  the  nick  of  time.  \  They  were 
not  encamped  in  a  body,  but  were  separated  each  about  a 
mile  from  the  others.  The  Tenth  Indiana  was  obliged  to 
fall  back  at  first  to  save  itself  from  being  surrounded.  There 
was  no  running,  but  a  deliberate  retreat,  and  a  return-fire 


256      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AXD  PRISON. 

for  every  volley  from  the  enemy.  They  fell  back  till  joined 
by  the  Fourth  Kentucky,  which  closed  upon  their  left  flank 
just  in  season  to  prevent  ZollicofFer's  right  wing  from  closing 
iu  their  rear.  Then  the  stand  was  made  and  held.  The 
enemy,  being  baffled  there,  attempted  to  outflank  Thomas's 
right  wing  ;  and  there  the  Second  Minnesota  came  up  just  at 
the  right  moment.  It  was,  throughout,  a  series  of  fortuitous 
circumstances  and  well-timed  movements  on  our  part. 

"  There  was  very  close  fighting.  A  portion  of  the  rebels 
were  behind  a  brush  fence  when  our  line  advanced,  and  they 
fought  hand  to  hand  across  the  fence.  The  Fourth  Ken- 
tucky, at  the  moment  of  ZollicofFer's  death,  was  about  fifteen 
paces  from  the  right  of  the  '  Mississippi  Butcher.' 

"  The  battle  was  fought  by  Gen.  Thomas's  forces,  and 
not  by  Gen.  Schoepff's,  or  a  portion  of  the  last-named 
troops,  as  has  been  stated  by  some  persons  who  were  igno- 
rant of  the  facts.  Col.  Monson,  of  the  Indiana  Tenth,  was 
in  command  of  the  second  brigade,  which  did  the  fighting ; 
and  to  him  belongs  the  credit  of  the  victory.  Gen.  Thomas 
did  not  arrive  upon  the  ground  till  the  battle  had  raged  a 
long  while ;  but  he  did  not  interfere  with  Col.  Monson's 
plans,  which  were  made  with  admirable  judgment  and  pre- 
cision. He  is  represented  to  have  been  very  cool,  watching 
every  movement  with  great  complacency.  He  was  at  Rich 
Mountain,  in  Western  Virginia,  and  was  highly  praised  for 
his  admirable  bearing.  The  Tenth  Indiana  thus  far  stands 
probably  first  on  the  roll  of  fame.  They  fought  bravely  at 
Rich  Mountain  ;  and  here,  at  Mill  Springs,  they  were  in  at 
the  beginning,  the  middle,  and  the  end. 


BATTLE-SCENES. —  WEST  AND  SOUTH-WEST.       257 

"  When  the  rebels  gave  way,  Col.  Monson  proposed  that 
they  be  followed  to  their  iutrenchments.  Gen.  Thomas 
hesitated.  'What  shall  we  do  for  provisions?'  he  asked. 
'  Oh,  never  mind  provisions  !  now  is  the  time  to  pitch  in/ 
said  Monson.  Thomas  acquiesced ;  and  the  troops  passed 
on,  only  to  find  the  rebels  swifter-footed  than  they,  and  the 
road  strewed  with  blankets,  guns,  knapsacks,  caps  and  coats, 
with  cannons  and  caissons,  wagons  and  provisions.  They 
came  close  upon  the  intrenchments  at  night,  but  were  too 
much  exhausted  to  attempt  an  attack  ;  and  rested  on  their 
arms. 

"  I  need  not  recapitulate  what  followed,  —  how  they  found 
the  camp  deserted,  how  the  batteries  set  the  steamboat  on 
fire  ;  for  it  is  an  old  and  familiar  story.  The  prisoners  taken 
tell  hard  stories  of  their  officers.  They  report,  that,  when  the 
officers  were  escaping  across  the  river  in  some  flatboats,  a 
soldier  sprang  into  the  water,  and  grasped  the  sides ;  and 
that  the  officers  drew  their  swords,  and  cut  off  the  fingers  of 
the  man  !  I  give  it  as  it  was  told  me  by  one  who  had  it 
from  the  lips  of  the  prisoners.  He  reports  that  a  large 
number  were  drowned. 

"It  is  not  pleasant  to  hear  such  a  story,  or  accept  it  as 
truth  ;  but  panic-stricken  men  will  do  almost  any  thing.  It 
is  related  by  the  historian  of  Old  Newbury,  that,  when  the 
news  of  the  battle  of  Lexington  reached  that  town,  there  was 
great  excitement.  Men  ran  through  the  streets,  crying  that 
the  red-coats  were  at  Ipswich,  cutting  and  slashing  all  be- 
fore them  ;  that  the  inhabitants  immediately  packed  up  their 
valuables,  and  prepared  to  get  across  the  river ;  that  one 
17 


258      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

man  had  his  family  in  a  boat,  and  one  of  his  children,  an 
infant,  cried,  and  he  exclaimed,  '  Throw  the  brat  overboard, 
or  we  shall  all  be  found  out  and  killed ! '  A  lady  seized 
what  she  supposed  to  be  her  infant,  which  was  lying  on  the 
bed,  and  ran  in  great  terror  till  exhausted  ;  when,  stopping 
to  rest  a  moment,  she  discovered  that  she  had  a  big  black 
cat  in  her  arms !  It  is  possible,  therefore,  that  the  state- 
ments of  this  prisoner  may  be  correct." 

Among  the  duties  of  our  soldiers,  sometimes,  were  those 
of  raiders, — men  who  would  fearlessly  scour  the  country, 
crippling  the  enemy,  and,  while  failing  to  engage  in  battle 
with  the  foe,  would  yet  do  much  to  aid  the  cause  of  liberty. 
A  few  details  of  the  great  raid  in  Mississippi,  by  Col. 
Grierson's  cavalry,  may  be  of  interest :  — 

"In  obedience  to  orders  of  Col.  B.  H.  Grierson,  com- 
manding the  first  cavalry  brigade,  Col.  Edward  Prince 
moved  with  his  regiment,  the  Seventh  Illinois  Cavalry  Vol- 
unteers, five  hundred  and  foi-ty-two  officers  and  men,  from 
Lagrange,  Tenn.,  at  ten  o'clock,  A.M.,  on  the  17th  of  April, 
on  the  Ripley  Road,  and  camped  on  the  plantation  of  Dr. 
Ellis,  four  miles  north-west  of  Ripley,  Miss.,  distance  about 
thirty  miles. 

"  The  order  of  march  for  this  day  was  to  be  as  follows  : 
Sixth  Illinois  in  advance,  Lieut.-Col.  Reuben  Loomis  com- 
manding, followed  by  the  Seventh  Illinois  and  Second 
Iowa ;  but  the  Sixth  Illinois,  taking  the  wrong  road  near 
Lagrange.  was  thrown  to  the  west,  and  did  not  rejoin  the 
command  till  near  camp.  As  the  Seventh  Illinois  was  just 
going  into  camp,  Col.  Prince  discovered  a  party  of  five  or 


BATTLE-SCENES.  —  WEST  AND  SOUTH-WEST.      259 

six  rebels  crossing  a  field ;  and  immediately  sent  a  party  in 
pursuit,  who  captured  three  of  the  number. 

"  The  march  of  the  22d  was  terrible,  because  the  swamps 
of  the  Okanoxubee  River  were  overflowed.  After  moving 
four  miles  south  of  Louisville,  they  marched  a  distance  of 
eight  miles  through  a  swamp.  On  each  side  of  the  road 
were  enormous  trees  ;  and  the  water  was  everywhere  from 
three  to  four  feet  deep,  with,  every  few  hundred  yards,  a 
mire-hole,  in  which  frequently,  for  a  few  moments,  man  and 
horse  were  lost  to  view.  The  Seventh  Illinois,  being  in  the 
rear,  found  these  holes  almost  impassable,  from  the  action  of 
the  large  body  of  cavalry  which  had  preceded  them ;  and 
they  were  compelled  to  leave  drowned  some  twenty  noble 
animals,  whose  strength  was  not  equal  to  such  an  emergency. 
The  men  so  dismounted  removed  their  saddles,  placed  them 
on  some  other  led  beasts,  and  pushed  onward  cheerfully. 

"At  ten  o'clock,  P.M.,  Col.  Blackburn,  of  the  Seventh 
Illinois,  was  sent  forward  with  two  hundred  men  to  Decatur  ; 
which  place  he  passed  through  at  four,  A.M.,  of  the  24th, 
and  captured  two  trains  of  cars  and  two  locomotives  at 
Newton  Station  at  seven  o'clock.  The  rest  of  the  com- 
mand arrived  at  nine  o'clock.  The  bridges  and  trestles 
were  found  burned  six  miles  each  side  of  the  station, 
seventy-five  prisoners  captured  and  paroled,  two  warehouses 
full  of  commissary-stores  utterly  destroyed  by  fire,  and  also 
four  car-loads  of  ammunition,  mostly  for  heavy  artillery. 
The  bridges,  &c.,  on  the  east  side  of  the  station,  were 


260      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

destroyed  by  the  second  battalion  of  the  Sixth  Illinois,  under 
Major  M.  H.  Starr.  The  whole  command  left  Newton  at 
eleven,  A.M.,  of  the  24th,  and  marched  through  Garlandville 
to  the  plantation  of  Mr.  Bender,  about  twelve  miles  from 
Newton,  where  they  encamped.  The  distance  traversed  on 
the  23d  and  24th  was  eighty  miles,  and  all  this  without 
scarcely  stopping. 

"  Although  Col.  Prince  had  marched  his  regiment  forty- 
one  miles,  —  during  a  large  portion  of  the  time  through 
drenching  rain,  —  he  believed,  that  as  the  citizens  were  arm- 
ing themselves,  and  the  news  about  them  was  flying  in  all 
directions,  Pearl  River  should  be  crossed,  and  the  New- 
Orleans  and  Jackson  Road  reached  without  any  delay  what- 
ever. He  therefore  obtained  permission  from  Col.  Grierson 
to  move  directly  forward,  with  two  hundred  picked  men  of 
his  regiment,  to  secure  the  ferry  across  Pearl  River  before  the 
enemy  should  be  able  to  destroy  it.  The  distance  to  the  river 
was  thirteen  miles,  and  from  there  to  Hazlehurst's  Station 
was  twelve  miles.  The  remainder  of  the  two  i-egiments  were 
to  come  forward  as  soon  as  they  were  sufficiently  rested. 

"  Col.  Prince  started  with  the  two  hundred  at  one, 
A.M..  and  reached  the  bank  of  the  river  before  daylight ; 
when,  contrary  to  his  information,  the  flatboat  was  upon  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river.  Not  daring  to  call  out,  he  spoke 
to  a  volunteer,  who,  with  a  powerful  horse,  undertook  to 
swim  the  river ;  but  the  rapidity  of  the  swollen  stream  car- 
ried him  below  the  landing,  where  there  was  a  quicksand, 
and  he  barely  returned  to  shore  with  his  life. 


BATTLE-SCENES.  —  WEST  AND  SOUTH-WEST.      261 

"  A  few  moments  later,  a  man  came  down  from  the  house, 
toward  the  river,  and,  in  true  North-Carolina  accent,  asked, 
in  a  careless  way,  if  we  wanted  to  cross  ;  to  which  he  got 
a  reply,  —  in  a  very  capital  imitation  of  his  twang,  —  that  a 
few  of  them  did  want  to  go  across,  and  that  it  seemed  harder 
to  wake  up  his  nigger  ferryman  than  to  catch  the  conscripts. 
The  proprietor  took  the  bait,  apologized  for  the  detention, 
and  woke  up  his  ferryman,  who  immediately  brought  over 
the  boat,  which  thenceforward  became  the  property  of  Uncle 
Sam  ;  the  proprietor  all  the  while  believing  he  was  lavishing 
his  attention  on  the  First  Regiment  of  Alabama  Cavalry, 
fresh  from  Mobile  !  The  breakfast  given  to  the  Alabama 
colonel  that  morning  was  highly  relished  and  appreciated  ; 
but  too  much  time  was  not  spent  over  it,  and  the  importance 
of  speed  was  clearly  proved  only  half  an  hour  afterwards, 
when  they  caught  a  courier  flying  to  the  ferry  with  the  news 
that  the  Yankees  were  coming,  and  that  all  the  ferries  were 
to  be  immediately  destroyed. 

"  At  Hazlehurst  Station,  Col  Prince  succeeded  in  captur- 
ing a  large  number  of  cars  ;  four  or  five  being  loaded  with 
shell  and  ammunition,  and  others  with  army-stores.  The 
whole  of  this  property  was  utterly  destroyed. 

"  And  here  comes  one  of  the  most  amusing  episodes  of 
the  whole  affair.  Capt.  Forbes,  who,  it  will  be  remembered, 
had  been  sent  to  Macon  from  near  Starkville,  rejoined  the 
command  just  as  they  had  all  crossed  Pearl  River.  Having 
been  unable  to  take  Macon,  he  followed  their  trail  to 
Newton,  where  he  was  informed  that  they  had  gone  to  En- 
terprise, on  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad.  He  followed  on 


262      FIELD.   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

to  that  place,  and  marched  with  his  little  squad  into  town, 
where  he  found  about  three  thousand  rebel  troops  just  get- 
ting off  the  cars.  He  promptly  raised  a  flag  of  truce,  and 
boldly  rode  forward,  demanding  the  surrender  of  the  place 
in  the  name  of  Col.  Grierson. 

"  The  commanding  rebel  officer,  Col.  Goodwin,  asked  one 
hour  to  consider  the  proposition,  and  wished  to  know  where 
Capt.  Forbes  would  be  at  that  time.  The  captain  answered 
that  he  would  go  back  with  the  reply  to  the  reserve,  which 
he  did  pretty  rapidly,  after  having  shrewdly  ascertained  the 
strength  of  the  enemy.  It  is  not  known  whether  Enter- 
prise ever  surrendered  or  not,  or  whether  the  rebel  colonel 
is  still  trying  to  find  the  '  reserve '  to  make  his  penitent  bow  ; 
but  one  thing  is  certain,  that  Capt.  Forbes,  with  his  little 
squad  of  thirty-five  men,  did  not  intend  to  take  those  three 
thousand  rebel  prisoners  that  time  at  least,  and  was  laugh- 
ing in  his  sleeve  many  miles  off  while  those  Enterpris-ing 
people  were  trembling  in  their  boots. 

*'  This  noble  band  of  heroes  arrived  at  Baton  Rouge 
about  noon  of  May  2,  where  their  triumphal  entry  creat- 
ed a  furor  of  joyful  excitement  that  will  not  cease  till  it 
has  thrilled  every  loyal  heart  upon  this  continent ;  ay,  every 
heart  that  loves  liberty  and  human  bravery  throughout  the 
civilized  world. 

"  Some  idea  of  the  endurance  of  these  men  can  be  gleaned 
from  the  fact,  that  during  the  last  thirty  hours,  in  which 
they  had  ridden  eighty  miles,  fought  two  or  three  skirmishes, 
destroyed  bridges,  camps,  equipage,  &c.,  swam  a  river,  and 
captured  forty -two  prisoners,  and  quantities  of  horses, 


BA  TTLE-SCENES.  —  WEST  AND  SO  UTII-  WEST.      263 

they  had  scarcely  halted  at  all,  and  went  through  these  ter- 
rible exertions  without  food  for  man  or  beast !  During  the 
last  night,  it  Avas  observed  that  nearly  the  entire  column, 
worn  out  almost  beyond  human  endurance,  were  fast  asleep 
upon  horseback,  except  when  a  sharp  report  of  a  carabine 
told  of  the  nearness  of  the  enemy ;  and  all  this  was  ren- 
dered without  one  word  of  murmur  or  complaint  from  any 
lip,  either  of  officers  or  privates. 

"  The  only  casualties  and  losses  among  them  which  we 
have  to  deplore  are  one  killed,  and  fourteen  wounded,  — 
all  of  the  Seventh  Illinois. 

"  While  several  of  our  scouts  were  feeding  their  horses 
at  the  stables  of  a  wealthy  planter  of  secession  proclivities, 
the  proprietor,  looking  on,  apparently  deeply  interested  in 
the  proceeding,  suddenly  burst  out  with  — 

"  '  "Well,  boys,  I  can't  say  I  have  any  thing  against  you. 
I  don't  know  but,  on  the  whole,  I  rather  like  you.  You  have 
not  taken  any  thing  of  mine  except  a  little  corn  for  your 
horses,  and  that  you  are  welcome  to.  I  have  heard  of  you 
all  over  the  country.  You  are  doing  the  boldest  thing  ever 
done :  but  you'll  be  trapped,  though ;  you'll  be  trapped  ; 
mark  me  ! ' 

"  At  another  place,  where  our  men  thought  it  advisable  to 
represent  themselves  as  Jackson's  Cavalry,  a  whole  company 
was  very  graciously  entertainqd  by  a  strong  secession  lady, 
who  insisted  on  whipping  a  negro  because  he  did  not  bring 
the  hoecakes  fast  enough. 

"  On  one  occasion,  seven  of  Col.  Grierson's  scouts  stopped 
at  the  house  of  a  wealthy  planter  to  feed  their  jaded  horses. 


264      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

Upon  ascertaining  that  he  had  been  doing  a  little  guerilla 
business  on  his  own  account,  our  men  encouraged  him  to  the 
belief,  that,  as  they  were  the  invincible  Van  Dorn  Cavalry, 
they  would  soon  catch  the  Yankees.  The  secession  gentle- 
man heartily  approved  of  what  he  supposed  to  be  their  in- 
tentions, and  enjoined  upon  them  the  necessity  of  making  as 
rapid  marches  as  possible.  As  our  men  had  discovered  two 
splendid  carriage-horses  in  the  planter's  stables,  they  thought, 
under  the  circumstances,  they  would  be  justified  in  making 
an  exchange ;  which  they  accordingly  proceeded  to  do. 

"  As  they  were  taking  the  saddles  from  their  own  tired 
steeds,  and  placing  them  on  the  backs  of  the  wealthy  gue- 
rilla's horses,  the  proprietor  discovered  them,  and  at  once 
objected.  He  was  met  with  the  reply,  that,  as  he  was 
anxious  that  the  Yankees  should  be  speedily  overtaken,  those 
after  them  should  have  good  horses. 

"  '  All  right,  gentlemen,'  said  the  planter  :  *  I  will  keep 
your  animals  until  you  return.  I  suppose  you'll  be  back  in 
two  or  three  days  at  the  farthest.  When  you  return,  you'll 
find  they  have  been  well  cared  for.' 

"  Our  soldiers  were  sometimes  asked  where  they  got  their 
blue  coats.  They  always  replied,  if  they  were  travelling 
under  the  name  of  Van  Dora's  Cavalry,  that  they  took  them 
at  Holly  Springs,  of  the  Yankees.  This  always  excited 
great  laughter  among  the  secessionists.  Our  scouts,  how- 
ever, usually  wore  the  regular  secesh  uniform." 

The  Army  of  the  West  cannot  be  mentioned  without  a 
thought  of  Gen.  Fremont,  who  was  such  a  favorite  with  our 
Western  soldiers,  and  who  so  reluctantly  obeyed  the  sum- 


BA  TTLE-SCENES.  —  WEST  AND  SO  UTH-  WEST.      265 

mons  to  leave  them.  This  is  not  the  place  to  discuss  his 
merits  as  a  man  or  a  leader ;  but  at  least  it  may  be  said 
that  in  him  the  slave  had  a  friend,  and  that  his  proclamation 
of  freedom  has  to-day  all  the  grandeur  of  a  mighty  and  a 
fulfilled  prophecy. 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  in  the  "  Boston  Jour- 
nal "  may  interest  many  by  its  personal  allusions  :  — 

"  On  returning  from  a  visit  to  the  arsenal  this  morning,  I 
had  the  pleasure  of  witnessing  the  presentation  of  a  flag  to 
the  body-guard  by  Mrs.  Fremont.  It  was  a  piece  of  good 
fortune  wholly  unexpected  ;  but,  looking  up  Chateau  Avenue 
as  we  passed  along,  we  noticed  an  unusual  crowd  before  the 
1  palatial  mansion  of  Mrs.  Brant,'  and,  of  course,  wished  to 
see  what  was  going  on. 

"  The  body-guard  were  drawn  up  in  two  long  lines  in 
front  of  the  house,  with  drawn  swords,  all  looking  straight- 
forward, very  fierce  and  solemn, — the  celebrated,  dashing, 
daring  Major  Zagonyi  at  their  head,  on  a  magnificent  horse, 
which  he  caused  to  jump  about  in  a  most  extraordinary 
manner. 

"  There  were  so  many  about  the  house,  it  would  have 
been  impossible  for  me  to  have  seen  any  thing,  if  the  awe- 
inspiring  sentries  on  either  side  of  the  gate  had  not  been 
so  much  modified  by  the  eloquence  of  a  friend  as  to  allow  me 
the  privilege  of  entering  the  yard,  where  I  had  a  fine  view 
of  every  thing. 

"  Mrs.  Fremont  did  not  appear  for  some  time.  The  guard 
sat  patiently  on  their  horses,  solemn  and  immovable*  I  sat, 
impatient,  conversing  with  one  of  the  guard,  who,  being  de- 


266      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,   HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

layed  at  "Warsaw  on  account  of  illness,  was  not  one  of  those 
who  made  the  brilliant  but  reckless  dash  into  Springfield. 
He  was  very  communicative,  and  pointed  out  those  who  had 
fought  most  bravely.  I  stared  in  mute  astonishment  at  an 
orderly-sergeant,  who,  he  assured  me,  had  killed  nine  men  ! 
His  imperfect  English  was  extremely  amusing.  He  said 
that  '  the  first  horse  the  sergeant  rode  was  badly  wounded. 
He  yumped  off  that,  and  yumped  on  to  a  second :  that  was 
immediately  killed.  He  yumped  off  that,  and  yumped  on  to 
a  third,  which  was  soon  killed  also.  Then  he  yumped 
back  on  to  the  wounded  horse,  and  soon  got  a  bad  wound 
himself.' 

"  The  two  sons  of  Gen.  Fremont,  fine  black-eyed  little 
fellows  of  ten  and  twelve,  also  attracted  my  notice.  They 
were  in  military  dress,  and  stood  on  the  steps  talking  with 
the  officers,  apparently  great  favorites.  The  oldest  accom- 
panied his  father  to  "Warsaw  and  Springfield. 

"  At  last,  there  was  a  general  whisper  of  '  She's  com- 
ing ! '  and  I  started  up  to  see  the  ceremony.  The  staff 
formed  a  double  semicircle  around  the  door  ;  Gen.  Fremont, 
his  wife,  and  Major  Zagonyi,  in  front.  '  Madame,'  as  they 
call  her,  then  presented  a  handsome  flag,  draped  with  crape, 
to  the  major,  who  replied  briefly,  and  then  received  a  few 
congratulatory  words  from  the  general  himself.  Then,  com- 
mitting the  colors  to  the  care  of  the  orderly-sergeant  who 
had  fought  so  gallantly,  he  mounted  his  fiery  steed  once 
more,  and  made  a  pleasant,  touching  address  to  the  body- 
guard. Three  hearty  cheers  were  then  given  for  Fremont, 
three  more  for  '  Madame '  (who  responded  by  a  most  gra- 


BATTLE-SCENES. —  WEST  AND  SOUTH-WEST.      267 

cious  bow,  taking  off  the  slightly  jaunty  black  hat  she  wore), 
and  the  scene  closed. 

"Every  one  —  every  lady  at  least  —  will  like  to  know- 
how  '  Jessie '  looked,  and  how  Major  Zagonyi  impressed 
your  correspondent.  She  is  tall  and  stout,  with  a  striking 
face, — not  handsome  at  all;  but  meet  her  anywhere,  and 
you  would  feel  sure  that  she  was  no  common  person.  There 
is  an  entire  forgetfulness  of  self,  an  entire  absence  of  af- 
fectation and  embarrassment,  that  is  charming.  She  pro- 
sented  the  flag  with  the  same  careless  ease  that  you  would 
feel  in  giving  a  bouquet  to  a  friend.  Her  features  are  large, 
and  slightly  coarse  ;  but  her  dark,  handsome  eyes,  full  of 
life  and  intelligence,  and  a  very  pleasant  smile,  fully  atone 
for  that.  The  soldiers  are  devoted  to  her.  She  has  taken 
great  interest  in  them  ;  visiting  their  barracks,  and  going  to 
the  hospitals,  where  she  shakes  hands  with  as  many  as  pos- 
sible, adding  for  each  a  kind,  cheerful  word. 

"  But  I  am  running  away  from  Major  Zagonyi,  who  cer- 
tainly deserves  a  description.  He  is  rather  short  and  slen- 
der, with  a  sharp,  wide-awake  face,  brown  hair,  cut  close, 
dark  eyes,  full  of  fire,  and  such  a  mustache  ! " 

Horace  Greeley,  in  his  "  History  of  the  American  Con- 
flict," thus  refers  to  the  gallant  major,  who  was  at  Spring- 
field with  only  three  hundred  companions,  and  was  to 
meet  there  twelve  hundred  infantry  and  four  hundred  cav- 
airy:- 

"Zagonyi  did  not  quail.  To  his  officers  he  said,  'Fol- 
low me,  and  do  like  me  !.'  To  his  soldiers, — 

"  '  Comrades,  the  hour  of  danger  has  come :  your  first 


268       FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

battle  is  before  you.  The  enemy  is  two  thousand  strong, 
and  you  are  three  hundred.  If  any  of  you  would  turn  back, 
you  can  do  so  now.' 

"  Not  a  man  stepped  from  the  ranks.  He  then  added, 
'  I  will  lead  you.  Let  the  watchword  be,  The  Union  and 
Fremont !  Draw  sabres  !  By  the  right  flank  ;  quick  trot ; 
march  ! ' 

"  With  a  ringing  shout,  the  third  battalion  dashed  eagerly 
forward. 

"  A  miry  brook,  a  stout  rail-fence,  a  narrow  lane,  with 
sharpshooters  judiciously  posted  behind  fences  and  trees, — 
such  were  the  obstacles  to  be  overcome  before  getting  at  the 
enemy.  A  fence  must  be  taken  down,  the  lane  traversed, 
the  sharpshooters  defied,  before  a  blow  could  be  struck.  All 
was  the  work  of  a  moment ;  but,  when  that  moment  had 
passed,  seventy  of  their  number  were  stretched  dead,  or 
writhing  on  the  ground.  Major  Dorsheimer,  an  aide  to  Fre- 
mont, who  came  up  soon  after,  thus  describes  the  close  of 
the  fight :  — 

"  '  The  remnant  of  the  Guard  are  now  in  the  field  under 
the  hill ;  and,  from  the  shape  of  the  ground,  the  rebel  fire 
sweeps  with  the  roar  of  a  whirlwind  over  their  heads.  A 
line  of  fire  upon  the  summit  marks  the  position  of  the  rebel 
infantry  ;  while  nearer,  and  on  the  top  of  a  lower  eminence, 
to  the  right,  stand  their  horse.  Up  to  this  time,  no  Guards- 
man has  struck  a  blow ;  but  blue-coats  and  bay  horses  lie 
thick  along  the  bloody  lane.  Their  time  has  come.  Lieut. 
Maytheuzi,  with  thirty  men,  is  ordered  to  attack  the  cavalry. 
With  sabres  flashing  over  their  heads,  the  little  band  of  he- 


BA  TTLE-SCENES.  —  WEST  AND  SOUTH- WEST.      269 

roes  spring  toward  their  tremendous  foe.  Right  upon  the  cen- 
tre they  charge.  The  dense  mass  opens,  the  blue-coats  force 
their  way  in,  and  the  whole  rebel  squadron  scatter  in  dis- 
graceful flight  through  the  corn-fields  in  the  rear.  The  boys 
follow  them,  sabring  the  fugitives.  Days  afterward,  the 
enemy's  horse  lay  thick  among  the  uncut  corn. 

" '  Zagonyi  holds  his  main  body  until  Maytheuzi  disap- 
pears in  the  cloud  of  rebel  cavalry ;  then  his  voice  rises 
through  the  air,  "  In  open  order,  charge ! "  The  line 
opens  out  to  give  play  to  their  sword-arm.  Steeds  respond 
to  the  ardor  of  their  riders  ;  and  quick  as  thought,  with 
thrilling  cheers,  the  noble  hearts  rush  into  the  leaden  tor- 
rent which  pours  down  the  incline.  With  unabated  fire,  the 
gallant  fellows  press  through.  The  fierce  onset  is  not  even 
checked.  The  foe  do  not  wait  for  them :  they  waver, 
break,  and  fly.  The  Guardsmen  spur  into  the  midst  of  the 
rout,  and  their  fast-falling  swords  work  a  terrible  revenge. 
Some  of  the  boldest  of  the  Southrons  retreat  into  the  woods, 
and  continue  a  murderous  fire  from  behind  trees  and  thickets. 
Seven  Guard  horses  fall  upon  a  space  not  more  than  twenty 
feet  square.  As  his  steed  sinks  under  him,  one  of  the  offi- 
cers is  caught  around  the  shoulders  by  a  grape-vine,  and 
hangs  dangling  in  the  air  till  he  is  cut  down  by  his  friends. 
The  rebel  foot  are  flying  in  furious  haste  from  the  field. 
Some  take  refuge  in  the  fair-ground,  some  hurry  into  the 
corn-fields  ;  but  the  greater  part  run  along  the  edge  of  the 
wood,  swarm  over  the  fence  into  the  road,  and  hasten  to 
the  village.  The  Guardsmen  follow  :  Zagonyi  leads  them. 
Over  the  loudest  roar  of  battle  rings  his  clarion  voice,  "  Come 


270      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

on,  Old  Kentuck !  *  I'm  with  you !  "  and  the  flash  of  his 
sword-blade  tells  his  men  where  to  go.  As  he  approaches 
a  barn,  a  man  steps  from  behind  the  door,  and  lowers  his 
rifle  ;  but,  before  it  has  reached  a  level,  Zagonyi's  sabre-point 
descends  upon  his  head,  and  his  life-blood  leaps  to  the  very 
top  of  the  huge  barn-door. 

"  '  The  conflict  now  rages  through  the  village,  in  the  pub- 
lic square,  and  along  the  streets.  Up  and  down  the  Guards 
ride  in  squads  of  three  and  four,  and,  wherever  they  see  a 
group  of  the  enemy,  charge  upon  and  scatter  them.  It  is 
hand-to-hand.  No  one  but  has  had  a  share  in  the  fray.' 

"  Zagonyi  wisely  evacuated  the  town  at  nightfall,  know- 
ing that,  by  night,  he  was  at  the  mercy  of  the  rebels  if  they 
should  muster  courage  to  return  and  attack  him.  Of  his 
three  hundred  men,  eighty-four  were  dead  or  wounded." 

Passing  from  Zagonyi's  brilliant  charge  at  Springfield  to 
the  great  battle  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  "  Carleton's  "  descrip- 
tion of  the  scene  on  the  night  of  BuelPs  advance  to  the  re- 
enforcement  of  Gen.  Grant  and  his  weary  soldiers,  who  had 
fought  well,  but  were  exhausted,  is  here  given.  It  is  taken 
from  the  first  of  his  series  of  battle-histories  for  the  Ameri- 
can youth,  whose  value  will  only  increase  as  years  go  on. 
He  says,  "  Through  the  night,  the  shells  from  the  gunboats 
crashed  along  the  rebel  lines.  So  destructive  was  the  fire, 
that  Beauregard  was  obliged  to  fall  back  from  the  position 
he  had  won  by  such  sacrifice  of  life.  There  was  activity  at 
the  Landing.  The  steamers  went  to  Savannah,  took  on 
board  McCook's  and  Crittenden's  divisions  of  Buell's  army, 

*  Of  the  Guard,  one  hundred  were  Kentuckians. 


BATTLE-SCENES. —  WEST  AND  SOUTH-WEST.      271 

and  transported  them  to  Pittsburg.  Few  words  were 
spoken  as  they  marched  up  the  hill  in  the  darkness,  with  the 
thousands  of  wounded  on  either  hand  ;  but  there  were  many 
silent  thanksgivings  that  they  had  come.  The  wearied  sol- 
diers lay  down  in  battle -line  to  broken  sleep,  with  their 
loaded  guns  beside  them.  The  sentinels  stood,  like  statues, 
in  silence  on  the  borders  of  that  valley  of  death,  watching 
and  waiting  for  the  morning. 

"  The  battle-cloud  hung  like  a  pall  above  the  forest ;  the 
gloom  and  darkness  deepened  ;  the  stars,  which  had  looked 
calmly  down  from  the  depths  of  heaven,  withdrew  from  the 
scene,  —  a  horrible  scene  !  for  the  exploding  shells  had  set 
the  forest  on  fire.  The  flames  consumed  the  withered  leaves 
and  twigs  of  the  thickets,  and  crept  up  to  the  helpless 
wounded,  to  friend  and  foe  alike.  There  was  no  hand  but 
God's  to  save  them.  He  heard  their  cries  and  groans.  The 
rain  came,  extinguishing  the  flames :  it  drenched  the  men 
in  arms,  waiting  for  daybreak  to  come  to  renew  the  strife  ; 
but  there  were  hundreds  of  wounded,  parched  with  fever, 
restless  with  pain,  who  thanked  God  for  the  rain." 

Again  Mr.  Coffin  writes  :  — 

"On  the  Sabbath  after  the  battle,  the  chaplains  of  the 
regiments  had  religious  exercises.  How  different  was  the* 
scene  !  Instead  of  the  cannonade,  there  were  prayers  to 
God  ;  instead  of  the  musketry,  there  were  songs  of  praise. 
There  were  tears  shed  for  those  who  had  fallen  ;  but  there 
were  devout  thanksgivings  that  they  had  given  their  lives 
so  freely  for  their  country,  and  for  the  victory  they  had 
achieved  by  their  sacrifice. 


272       FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

"  One  of  the  chaplains,  in  conducting  the  service,  read  a 
hymn,  commencing,  — 

'Look  down,  O  Lord !  O  Lord,  forgive; 
Let  a  repenting  rebel  live ! ' 

But  he  was  suddenly  interrupted  by  a  patriotic  soldier,  who 
cried,  '  No,  sir  ;  not  unless  they  lay  down  their  arms,  every 
one  of  them.' 

"After  the  battle,  a  great  many  men  and  women  visited 
the  ground,  searching  for  the  bodies  of  friends  who  had 
fallen.  Lieut.  Pfieff,  an  officer  of  an  Illinois  regiment,  was 
killed,  and  his  wife  came  to  obtain  his  body.  No  one  knew^ 
where  he  was  buried.  The  poor  woman  wandered  through 
the  forest,  examining  all  the  graves.  Suddenly  a  dog,  poor 
and  emaciated,  bounded  towards  her,  his  eyes  sparkling 
with  pleasure,  and  barking  his  joy  to  see  his  mistress. 
When  her  husband  went  to  the  army,  the  dog  followed  him, 
and  was  with  him  through  the  battle,  watched  over  his 
dead  body  through  the  terrible  contest,  and,  after  he  was 
buried,  remained  day  and  night,  a  mourner !  He  led  his 
mistress  to  the  spot :  the  body  was  disinterred.  The  two 
•sorrowful  ones,  the  devoted  wife  and  the  faithful  brute, 
watched  beside  the  precious  dust  till  it  was  laid  in  its  final 
resting-place  beneath  the  prairie-flowers."  * 

*  Two  Kentucky  regiments  met  face  to  face,  and  fought  each  other 
with  terrible  resolution;  and  it  happened  that  one  of  the  Federal  soldiers 
wounded  and  captured  his  brother,  and,  after  handing  him  back,  began 


BA  TTLE-SCENES.  —  WEST  AND  SO UTH-  WEST.      273 

Among  the  battles  fought  by  the  Army  of  the  South-west 
was  that  of  Prairie  Ridge,  Benton  County,  Ark.,  in  1862. 
A  correspondent  of  the  "  New- York  Herald  "  thus  describes 
the  final  day  of  the  three-days'  struggle  :  — 

"  Daybreak  and  sunrise  at  last ;  not  the  bright  clear  sun 
that  rose  over  Austerlitz,  and  cheered  Napoleon  to  his  great 
victory,  but  a  dull,  copper-tinted  globe,  slowly  pushing 
itself  up  through  the  murky  cloud  of  cannon-smoke,  that 
even  the  long  hours  of  a  winter  night  had  not  dispelled. 
The  heavens  soon  became  overcast,  as  if  the  elements  them- 
selves foreshadowed  an  impending  calamity. 

"  The  fortune  of  the  day  was  depending  upon  Gen.  Sigel ; 
and  that  officer  calmly  but  carefully  prepared  his  command 
for  the  conflict.  Our  whole  force  was  concentrated  to  the 
north  of  our  camp  ;  and  what  till  then  had  been  our  rear 
became  our  front.  Col.  Carr's  division  was  placed  in  the 
centre,  occupying  the  road  a  short  distance  on  either  side. 
The  enemy  during  the  night  had  planted  some  of  his  bat- 
teries on  an  eminence  about  two  hundred  feet  high,  sloping 
away  to  the  north,  but  precipitous  on  the  side  in  our  front. 
Batteries  and  large  bodies  of  infantry  were  posted  at  his 
right  base  of  this  hill,  and  at  the  edge  of  some  timber  to  its 
left,  Infantry  and  cavalry,  with  a  few  guns,  were  posted 

firing  at  a  man  near  a  tree;  when  the  captured  brother  called  to  him,  and 
said,  "  Don't  shoot  there  any  more !  —  that's  father!  " 

A  Federal  volunteer  and  a  Rebel  soldier  were  found  dead,  with  hands 
clasped.    It  is  supposed  that  they  fell  side  by  side,  mortally  wounded,  and, 
making  friends,  died  in  peace.    What  a  contrast  to  the  spectacle  around ! 
18 


274       FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PEISON. 

on  his  extreme  left  beyond  the  road ;  and,  to  oppose  these, 
Col.  Davis  was  sent  to  our  extreme  left. 

"  It  was  apparent,  that,  if  we  could  dislodge  the  rebels 
from  this  hill,  the  victory  would  be  with  our  banners.  With 
the  skill  of  an  expert  in  military  science,  Gen.  Sigel  ar- 
ranged his  columns  for  the  coming  action.  His  foremost 
line  was  drawn  up  in  battle-array,  with  infantry,  cavalry, 
and  artillery,  all  in  their  proper  positions.  At  a  suitable 
distance  in  the  rear  his  reserves  were  placed,  ready  to  be 
brought  forward  at  any  needed  moment.  A  level,  open 
field,  of  great  extent,  gave  splendid  opportunity  for  an  im- 
posing display.  It  had  last  been  a  corn-field  ;  and  the  white 
and  withered  stalks  were  still  on  the  ground,  forming  a  fine 
background  for  the  dark-blue  uniforms  worn  by  our  men. 
Throughout  the  morning,  skirmishing  and  light  encounters 
had  transpired  with  the  portion  of  the  enemy  opposed  to  our 
centre  and  right ;  but,  on  the  left,  not  a  gun  was  fired  until 
the  whole  of  Gen.  Sigel's  command  was  in  readiness. 

"  At  a  little  past  eight  o'clock,  the  decisive  portion  of  the 
engagement  commenced.  Along  the  entire  line,  the  can- 
noneers stood  to  their  guns  ;  and,  at  the  word  of  command, 
fire  was  opened.  A  brisk  cannonade  was  kept  up  for  up- 
wards of  two  hours,  with  occasional  intervals  of  from  five 
to  fifteen  minutes'  duration.  The  sharp  booming  of  six, 
twelve,  and  eighteen  pounders  followed  each  other  in  rapid 
succession. 

"  The  shot  from  the  rebel  batteries  were  well  directed, 
but  failed  of  execution  equal  to  those  from  ours.  Several 
guns  were  disabled  and  taken  to  the  rear,  and  their  places 


B A  TTLE-SCENES.  —  WEST  AND  SO UTH-  WEST.      27 5 

speedily  supplied  by  others.  During  the  cannonade,  Col. 
Carr's  and  CoL  Davis's  divisions  advanced  slowly  upon  the 
enemy  until  they  held  the  edge  of  the  timber,  where  the 
rebels  had  position  in  the  morning.  A  battery  of  three  guns, 
in  front  of  a  wooded  space  on  the  left  of  the  road,  at  length 
became  troublesome  ;  and  orders  were  issued  for  a  bayonet 
charge  to  capture  it.  Just  at  this  moment,  a  gust  of  wind 
blew  away  the  smoke  from  the  front  of  the  rebels,  revealing 
their  exact  position.  The  Twelfth  Missouri  was  designated 
for  the  honor  of  taking  the  battery,  and  nobly  acquitted 
themselves,  advancing  at  the  pas  de  charge  under  a  terrible 
musketry-fire,  possessing  themselves  of  the  guns,  and  hold- 
ing them  until  their  supports  came  up.  Twelve  of  their  men 
were  killed  in  this  charge,  and  a  large  number  wounded. 
Another  gun  was  shortly  after  taken  in  the  timber  near  by, 
and  still  another  spiked  piece  on  the  extreme  right  of  Davis's 
division. 

"  After  sustaining  a  heavy  cannonade  for  two  hours  and 
a  half,  the  rebels  showed  signs  of  a  desire  to  leave  the 
ground.  Their  batteries  were  withdrawn  from  the  hill,  and 
their  infantry  was  fast  melting  away ;  large  numbers  of 
them,  as  we  since  learn,  fleeing  in  terror  at  the  fearful  fire 
under  which  they  had  stood.  *  The  Eighteenth  and  Twenty- 
second  Indiana  Regiments  were  ordered  to  charge,  and  did 
so  in  gallant  style ;  but  the  rebels  were  too  quick  for  the 
movement  to  succeed  in  taking  the  guns.  Their  infantry 
fled  in  disorder ;  and  their  artillerymen  had  barely  oppor- 
tunity to  attach  their  horses  to  the  guns,  and  move  them 
from  the  field.  It  was  useless  to  pursue  with  cavalry,  the 


276      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

country  being  too  densely  wooded  to  admit  of  using  this  arm 
of  the  service.  The  entire  line  moved  forward  to  the  sup- 
port of  the  Indiana  regiments ;  and,  up  and  down  its  entire 
length,  the  air  resounded  with  cheer  upon  cheer  from  our 
exultant  troops.  The  enemy  had  been  driven  from  his  strong- 
hold, and  victory  was  upon  our  banners. 

"  Gen.  Sigel  went  in  pursuit  of  the  fleeing  rebels,  fol- 
lowing their  main  body  for  twelve  miles,  and  capturing  a 
considerable  quantity  of  wagons,  supplies,  &c.,  several 
ammunition-wagons,  a  load  of  powder,  and  nearly  a  thou- 
sand stand  of  arms.  They  fled  too  rapidly  to  permit  of  a 
capture  of  the  entire  force  ;  and,  on  the  morning  of  the  9th, 
Gen.  Sigel's  division  returned  to  camp.  A  portion  of  the 
rebels  fled  to  the  eastward,  felling  timber  across  the  road  to 
prevent  pursuit.  Another  portion  turned  to  the  westward, 
fleeing  by  the  way  of  Bentonville  towards  the  sunny  South. 
When  last  heard  from,  they  were  in  camp  eight  miles  to  the 
southward.  A  flag  of  truce  came  in  to-day  to  arrange  for 
burying  the  dead,  and  making  exchange  of  prisoners. 

"  The  appearance  of  the  hill  and  woods  shelled  by  Gen. 
Sigel's  division  attests  the  terrific  shower  of  missiles  that 
fell  upon  them.  Walking  over  the  ground  immediately  after 
the  flight  of  the  enemy  and  the  pursuit  of  our  forces,  I  found 
it  thickly  strewn  with  dead  and  wounded,  most  of  them 
having  fallen  by  the  deadly  artillery  projectiles.  On  the 
hill,  where  the  cannonade  had  been  severe,  trees,  rocks,  and 
earth  bore  witness  to  its  fierceness.  Fifteen  wounded  rebels 
lay  in  one  group,  and  were  piteously  imploring  each  passer- 


B A  TTLE-SCENES.  —  WEST  AND  SO  UTH-  WEST.       277 

by  for  water,  and  relief  for  their  wounds.  A  few  rods  from 
them  was  another,  whose  arm  had  been  torn  off  by  a  can- 
non-shot, leaving  the  severed  member  on  the  ground  a  few 
feet  distant :  near  him  was  the  dead  body  of  a  rebel,  whose 
legs  and  one  arm  had  been  shattered  by  a  single  shot.  Be- 
hind a  tree,  a  few  yards  distant,  was  stretched  a  corpse, 
with  two-thirds  of  its  head  blown  away  by  the  explosion  of 
a  shell,  and  near  it  a  musket  broken  into  three  pieces.  Still 
farther  along  was  the  body  of  a  rebel  soldier,  who  had  been 
killed  by  a  grape-shot  through  the  breast.  A  letter  had 
fallen  from  his  pocket,  which,  on  examination,  proved  to  be 
a  long  and  well-written  love-epistle  from  his  betrothed  in 
East  Tennessee.  It  Avas  addressed  to  Pleasant  J.  "Williams, 
Churchill's  regiment,  Fayetteville,  Ark.  Around  him  in  all 
directions  were  his  dead  and  dying  comrades,  some  stretched 
at  full  length  on  the  turf,  and  others  contorted  as  if  in  ex- 
treme agony. 

"  The  bursting  of  shells  had  set  fire  to  the  dry  leaves  on 
the  ground,  and  the  woods  were  burning  in  every  direction. 
Efforts  were  made  to  remove  the  wounded  before  the  flames 
should  reach  them,  and  nearly  all  were  taken  to  places  of 
safety.  Several  were  afterwards  found  in  secluded  spots, 
some  of  them  still  alive,  but  horribly  burned  and  blackened 
by  the  conflagration. 

"  The  rebels,  in  nearly  every  instance,  removed  the  shoes 
from  the  dead  and  mortally  wounded  both  of  their  own 
army  and  ours.  Of  all  the  corpses  I  saw,  I  do  not  think 
one-twentieth  had  been  left  with  their  shoes  untouched.  In 
some  cases,  pantaloons  were  taken,  and  occasionally  an 


278      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

overcoat  or  a  blouse  was  missing.  A  large  number  of  the 
killed  among  the  rebels  were  shot  through  the  head,  while 
the  majority  of  the  dead  were  shot  through  the  breast. 

"  Col.  Hendricks  of  the  Twenty-second  Indiana  was  killed 
while  gallantly  leading  his  men  in  the  action  of  the  7th,  under 
Col.  Davis.  Two  of  the  German  regiments  illustrated  the 
Teutonic  love  of  music  by  singing  one  of  the  songs  of  Fader- 
land  while  they  stood  under  fire  of  the  rebel  batteries  on  the 
morning  of  the  8th.  The  Illinois  regiments  were  not  promi- 
nent in  the  action,  with  the  exception  of  the  Thirty-fifth,  Col. 
William  Smith  (wounded),  and  he  Thirty-sixth,  Col.  Greu- 
sel ;  but  they  were  all  prompt  to  execute  every  order  which 
they  received.  The  Forty-fourth  Illinois  was  in  the  pursuit 
of  the  rebels,  and  returned,  bringing  nearly  a  hundred  pris- 
oners and  as  many  horses. 

"  There  are  no  data,  as  yet,  by  which  we  can  estimate 
the  loss  of  the  enemy.  Their  dead  and  wounded  on  the 
ground  were  much  more  numerous  than  ours  ;  at  least  one- 
half  or  two -thirds  more.  For  ten  miles  on  the  road  by 
which  they  retreated,  the  houses  were  full  of  wounded.  The 
whole  line  of  buildings  on  the  route  hence  to  Keetsville  is 
one  grand  hospital.  Our  entire  loss  is  estimated  at  a  little 
more  than  a  thousand,  of  whom  about  one-fourth  are 
killed." 

Gen.  Grant  and  the  Army  of  the  West  conquered  Vicks- 
burg.  An  account  of  the  siege  of  that  city  is  given  in  the 
following  spirited  poem  :  *  — 

*  By  Mrs.  Caroline  A.  Hayden. 


BATTLE-SCENES. —  WEST  AND  SOUTH-WEST.     279 

"  Day  broke ;  and  on  the  crested  hill  where  heavy  earthworks  frowned, 

In  narrow  gorge  and  valley  fair  where  stillness  reigned  profound, 

Along  the  edge  of  dark  ravines,  and  up  the  craggy  steeps 

Of  summits  where  the  crispy  grass  and  blackened  rock-moss  creeps, 

'Neath  gloomy  battlements  that  fling  their  shadows  miles  away, 

Are  gathered  countless  numbers  in  battle's  grim  array, 

Watching  now  the  curling,  wreathing  smoke  from  many  a  hamlet  green ; 

And  now  the  spires  of  Vicksburg,  for  the  first  time  dimly  seen. 

There  was  silence,  oh,  so  deep  and  still !  as  if  the  very  air 
Were  loath  to  stir  the  silken  banners  trailing  idly  there,  — 
The  dear  old  stars  and  stripes  below ;  and  up  on  many  a  height 
The  blood-red  bars  of  treason,  flaunting  proudly  in  their  sight. 
Oh !  long  before  the  sun  shall  gild  yon  city  in  its  pride, 
Full  many  a  messenger  of  death  along  our  ranks  shall  glide ; 
Yet  firm  the  solid  columns  stand,  and  breast  the  battle's  shock, 
As  if  each  separate  form  was  cut  from  out  the  quarried  rock. 

While  yet  the  glancing  sunbeams  kiss  each  lofty  spire  and  tree, 
The  clarion's  blast  is  thrilling  forth,  wild,  glorious,  and  free ; 
And,  ere  its  sound  had  died  away,  another,  wilder  still, 
Comes  hissing  with  a  shower  of  lead  from  valley,  glade,  and  hill. 
The  air  is  rent  with  fearful  yells  while  charge  on  charge  is  made ; 
The  firm  earth  trembles  at  each  shock  of  heavy  cannonade ; 
And,  when  the  curling  vapor  lifts,  it  shows  our  dauntless  men 
With  trailing  muskets  sweeping  onward  to  the  front  again. 

On,  on,  through  rifts  which  Death  has  made,  through  sheets  of  flaming 

fire, 

Through  rifle-pit  and  deep  morass,  through  blood  and  slime  and  mire, 
Adown  the  steeps  of  dark  ravine,  and  up  the  ragged  sides 
Of  beetling  cliffs,  where  scarcely  even  the  hardiest  plant  abides, 
To  gain  yon  towering  battlement,  down  its  traitorous  ensign  tear, 
And  plant  the  glorious  stars  and  stripes  with  shouts  of  victory  there  I 


280      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

'Tis  noon,  and  still  our  array  ranges  seven  miles  in  length ; 
'Tis  night,  and  still  our  army  proves  its  undiminished  strength  : 
For,  though  the  battle-field  is  strewn  with  heaps  on  heaps  of  slain, 
A  countless  host,  with  nerves  of  steel,  for  vengeance  yet  remain ; 
And  tireless  feet,  and  watchful  eye,  and  dauntless  hearts,  now  wait 
Round  that  beleaguered  city,  struggling  wildly  with  its  fate. 

The  hush  precedes  the  tempest :  they  will  rally  yet  once  more, 

With  the  strength  of  desperation,  more  reckless  than  before ; 

Will  pour  their  murderous  volleys  out,  until  the  air  is  rife 

With  sulphurous  smoke,  and  hideous  sounds  of  wailing,  death,  and  strife. 

But  God  has  given  us  a  Grant ;  and  when  again  we  rest, 

'Twill  be  to  plant  the  stars  and  stripes  on  yonder  green  hill's  crest ; 

And,  though  a  legion  more  should  fill  yon  proud  beleaguered  towers, 

They  must  yield ;  for  Right  is  on  our  side,  and  Vicksburg  must  be  ours." 

The  victory  was  not  gained  at  Vicksburg  without  severe 
fighting,  and  the  loss  of  many  noble  men.  One  of  the  most 
touching  incidents  in  connection  with  it  is  that  told  of  a  dying 
drummer-boy,  who  did  not  fail  to  do  an  errand  to  Gen. 
Sherman  with  all  needful  accuracy.  George  H.  Boker  has 
put  the  incident  into  most  vivid  pictorial-poetical  form,  as 
follows  :  — 

BEFORE  VICKSBURG,  MAY  19,  1863. 

BY    GEORGE   H.    BOKER. 

While  Sherman  stood  beneath  the  hottest  fire 
That  from  the  liues  of  Vicksburg  gleamed, 
And  bomb-shells  tumbled  in  their  smoky  gyre, 
And  grape-shot  hissed,  and  case-shot  screamed, 
Back  from  the  front  there  came, 
Weeping  and  sorely  lame, 


BATTLE-SCENES. —  WEST  AND  SOUTH-WEST.     281 

The  merest  child,  the  youngest  face, 
Man  ever  saw  in  such  a  fearful  place. 

Stifling  his  tears,  he  limped  his  chief  to  meet ; 

But  when  he  paused,  and  tottering  stood, 
Around  the  circle  of  his  little  feet 

There  spread  a  pool  of  bright,  young  blood. 
Shocked  at  his  doleful  case, 
Sherman  cried,  "  Halt !  front  face! 
Who  are  you  ?     Speak,  my  gallant  boy ! " 
"  A  drummer,  sir,  —  Fifty-fifth  Illinois." 

"  Are  you  not  hit  ?  "  —  "  That's  nothing !     Only  send 

Some  cartridges :  our  men  are  out, 
And  the  foe  press  us."  —  "  But,  my  little  friend"  — 
"  Don't  mind  me  !     Did  you  hear  that  shout  ? 
What  if  our  men  be  driven  ? 
Oh  for  the  love  of  Heaven, 
Send  to  my  colonel,  general  dear ! " 
"  But  you  ?  "  —  "  Oh !  I  shall  easily  find  the  rear." 

"  I'll  see  to  that,"  cried  Sherman ;  and  a  drop 

Angels  might  envy  dimmed  his  eye, 
As  the  boy,  toiling  toward  the  hill's  hard  top, 
Turned  round,  and,  with  his  shrill  child's  cry, 
Shouted,  "  Oh,  don't  forget! 
We'll  win  the  battle  yet  I 
But  let  our  soldiers  have  some  more, 
More  cartridges,  sir,  —  caliber  fifty-four !  " 

One  brilliant  episode  of  the  operations  of  the  Army  of  the 
West  was  the  "  Battle  of  the  Clouds,"  as  the  assault  of 
Lookout  Mountain  has  been  called. 


282       FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

Gen.  Grant  gave  Ger.  Hooker  permission  to  assault  the 
rebels  on  the  mountain  with  all  his  force.  "  This  order  was 
received  about  noon  on  the  25th  of  November  ;  but,  before 
nightfall,  he  had  planned  and  had  executed  an  attack  which 
was  as  brilliant  as  daring.  Two  months'  observation  of 
the  mountain,  from  his  camp  in  the  valley,  had  given  him 
full  knowledge  of  all  its  outlines,  its  roads,  &c. ;  and  it  is 
easy  to  believe  that  the  plan  which  Hooker  decided  upon 
had  had  for  some  time  a  place  in  his  mind.  It  was  as  unique 
in  conception  as  it  proved  successful  in  execution.  A  small 
force,  under  Osterhaus,  was  ordered  to  make  a  feint  upon  the 
enemy's  rifle-pits  at  the  point  (or '  nose,'  as  Rosecrans  calls  it) 
of  the  mountain,  while,  with  Geary  and  Ireland  and  Crafts 
and  Whitaker,  he  moved  up  the  valley  until  in  rear  of  the 
enemy's  position,  ascended  the  side  of  the  range  until  the 
head  of  his  column  reached  the  palisades,  marched  forward, 
taking  the  rebel  works  in  flank  and  rear,  and  secured  about 
thirteen  hundred  prisoners.  The  enemy  fled  around  the  nose 
of  the  mountain,  closely  pursued  to  a  position  on  the  opposite 
side,  where  Hooker  again  attacked.  After  one  or  two  des- 
perate efforts,  the  rebel  works  were  carried ;  but  it  was  at 
such  a  late  hour  (midnight),  that  it  was  impossible  to  dislodge 
them  from  a  position  controlling  a  mountain-road,  by  which 
they  evacuated  during  the  night.  The  mountain  thus  assaulted 
is  fourteen  hundred  feet  above  the  Tennessee  River,  and 
was  held  by  a  force  of  at  least  six  thousand  strongly  forti- 
fied. He  must  be  a  regular  mountaineer,  who  can,  unopposed, 
make  the  ascent  of  the  mountain  without  halting  several 
times  to  rest ;  and  the  story  of  the  assault  seems  incredible 


BA  TTLE-SCENES.  —  WEST  AND  SOUTH-  WEST.     283 

to  one  standing  on  the  summit,  where  the  rebels  were 
posted,  and  looking  at  the  rough  ascent  over  which  Hooker 
charged."  * 

This  wonderful  passage  in  the  history  of  the  Chattanooga 
campaign  has  been  made  the  subject  of  a  song  written  by 
our  consul  at  Venice,  W.  D.  Ho  well,  Esq.,  which  is  as 
follows :  — 
"  Where  the  dews  and  the  rains  of  heaven  have  their  fountain, 

Like  its  thunder  and  its  lightning  our  braves  burst  on  the  foe, 
Up  above  the  clouds,  on  Freedom's  Lookout  Mountain, 

Raining  life-blood  like  water  on  the  valleys  down  below. 
Oh !  green  be  thy  laurels  that  grow, 
Oh  !  sweet  be  the  wild-buds  that  blow, 
In  the  dells  of  the  mountain  where  the  braves  are  lying  low. 

Light  of  our  hope,  and  crown  of  our  story, 

Bright  as  sunlight,  pure  as  starlight,  shall  their  deeds  of  daring  glow, 
While  the  day  and  the  night  out  of  heaven  shed  their  glory 

On  Freedom's  Lookout  Mountain  whence  they  routed  Freedom's  foe. 
Oh  !  soft  be  the  gales  when  they  go 
Through  the  pines  on  the  summit  where  they  blow, 
Chanting  solemn  music  for  the  souls  that  passed  below." 

And  thus  may  close  this  chapter,  in  which  the  writer  has 
desired  to  twine  a  chaplet  of  unfading  laurels  for  the  brows 
of  our  Western  and  South-western  heroes.  More  might 
have  been  said  of  Corinth,  luka,  Shiloh,  Atlanta,  and  other 
places  which  have  so  lately  won  historic  fame,  but  limited 
space  forbade.  Enough,  however,  has  been  recorded  here 
to  show  that  our  pioneer-boys  fought  bravely,  and  did  not 
fight  in  vain. 

*  Harper's  Monthly,  October,  1865. 


284      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 


CHAPTER    VI. 


HOSPITAL-SCENES. 

1  Into  a  ward  of  the  whitewashed  walls, 

Where  the  dead  and  the  dying  lay, 
Wounded  by  bayonets,  shells,  and  balls, 

Somebody's  darling  was  borne  one  day; 
Somebody's  darling  so  young  and  so  brave, 

Wearing  yet  on  his  pale,  sweet  face, 
Soon  to  be  hid  by  the  dust  of  the  grave, 

The  lingering  light  of  his  boyhood  grace. 

Hatted  and  damp  are  the  curls  of  gold 

Kissing  the  sun  of  that  fair  young  brow; 
Pale  are  the  lips  of  delicate  mould: 

Somebody's  darling  is  dying  now. 
Back  from  the  beautiful  blue-veined  brow 

Brush  all  the  wandering  waves  of  gold; 
Cross  his  hands  on  his  bosom  now : 

Somebody's  darling  is  still  and  cold. 

Kiss  him  once  for  '  somebody's '  sake  ; 

Murmur  a  prayer  soft  and  low ; 
Ono  bright  curl  from  its  fair  mates  take,  — ' 

They  were  somebody's  pride,  you  know. 
'Somebody's'  hand  hath  rested  there: 

Was  it  a  mother's,  soft  and  white  ? 
And  have  the  lips  of  a  sister  fair 

Been  baptized  in  those  waves  of  light  ? 


HOSPITAL-SCENES.  285 

God  knows  best  !    He  was  '  somebody's  '  love  ; 

'  Somebody's  '  heart  enshrined  him  there; 
1  Somebody'  wafted  his  name  above, 

Night  and  morn,  on  the  wings  of  prayer; 
'  Somebody  '  wept  when  he  marched  away, 

Looking  so  handsome,  brave,  and  grand; 
'  Somebody's  '  kiss  on  his  forehead  lay  ; 

*  Somebody  '  clung  to  his  parting  hand. 

'  Somebody's  '  watching  and  waiting  for  him, 

Yearning  to  hold  him  again  to  their  heart  ; 
And  there  he  lies  with  his  blue  eyes  dim, 

And  the  smiling  childlike  lips  apart. 
Tenderly  bury  the  fair  young  dead, 

Pausing  to  drop  on  his  grave  a  tear; 
Carve  at  the  wooden  slab  at  his  head, 

'  Somebody's  darling  slumbers  here.'  '  ' 

ANONYMOUS. 


of  these  "darlings"  filled  our  hospitals 
during  the  war  ;  and  often  they  were  tenderly 
nursed:  for  the  work  which  Margaret  Fuller 
Ossoli  inaugurated  in  Rome,  when  Italian  patriots  struck  an 
unsuccessful  blow  for  liberty,  and  which  Florence  Nightingale 
continued  in  the  Crimea,  was  nobly  taken  up  by  Dorothea  L. 
Dix,  and  her  band  of  assistants,  whose  name  was  Legion, 
but  who  were  a  band  of  angels  instead  of  demons  ;  till,  at 
this  hour,  to  have  been  a  nurse  in  a  hospital  is  a  title-deed  to 
respect  and  honor.  All  the  nurses  were  not  perfect  ;  but  many, 
perhaps  most,  were  worthy  of  a  place  beside  Miss  Nightingale, 
whose  very  shadow  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  of  the 
Crimea  would  fain  kiss.  One  of  those  good  nurses  has 
given,  in  a  volume  whose  only  fault  is  its  brevity,  entitled 
"  Hospital  Sketches,"  a  graphic  picture  of  scenes  constantly 


286      FIELD,    GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

occurring  amid  hospital-life.  Both  witty  and  pathetic,  its 
irresistible  humor  sometimes  moves  the  risibles,  and  anon 
its  pathos  calls  forth  a  tear.  With  the  wish  that  the  whole 
could  be  enjoyed  by  the  reader,  the  following  extracts  are 
given.  After  telling  of  the  arrival  of  some  eighty  wounded 
men,  she  goes  on  to  say,  — 

"  I  pitied  them  so  much,  I  dared  not  speak  to  them ; 
though,  remembering  all  the.y  had  been  through  since  the 
rout  at  Fredericks,  I  felt  ready  to  be  handmaid  to  the 
dreariest  and  dirtiest  of  them  all.  Presently  Hiss  Blank 
tore  me  frojfi  my  refuge  behind  piles  of  one-sleeved  shirts, 
odd  socks,  bandages,  and  lint ;  put  basin,  sponge,  towels, 
and  a  block  of  brown  soap,  into  my  hands,  with  these  ap- 
palling directions  :  — 

"  *  Come,  my  dear,  begin  to  wash  as  fast  as  you  can.  Tell 
them  to  take  off  socks,  coats,  and  shirts  ;  scrub  them  well ; 
then  put  on  clean  shirts  ;  and  the  attendants  will  finish  them 
off,  and  lay  them  in  bed.' 

"  If  she  had  requested  me  to  shave  them  all,  or  dance  a  horn- 
pipe on  the  stove-funnel,  I  should  have  been  less  staggered ; 
but  to  scrub  some  dozen  lords  of  creation  at  a  moment's  no- 
tice was  really  —  really .  However,  there  was  no  time 

for  nonsense  ;  and  having  resolved,  when  I  came,  to  do  every 
thing  I  was  bid,  I  drowned  my  scruples  in  my  wash-bowl, 
clutched  my  soap  manfully,  and,  assuming  a  business-like 
air,  made  a  dab  at  the  first  dirty  specimen  I  saw,  bent  on 
performing  my  task  vi  et  armis  if  necessary.  I  chanced  to 
light  on  a  withered  old  Irishman,  wounded  in  the  head, 
which  caused  that  portion  of  his  frame  to  be  tastefully  laid 


HOSPITAL-SCENES.  287 

out  like  a  garden,  the  bandages  being  the  walks,  his  hair 
the  shrubbery.  He  was  so  overpowered  by  the  honor  of 
having  a  lady  wash  him,  as  he  expressed  it,  that  he  did 
nothing  but  roll  up  his  eyes,  and  bless  me  in  an  irresistible 
style,  which  was  too  much  for  my  sense  of  the  ludicrous  :  so 
we  laughed  together.  And,  when  I  knelt  down  to  take  off  his 
shoes,  he  '  flopped  '  also,  and  wouldn't  hear  of  my  touching 
'  them  dirty  craters.  May  your  bed  above  be  aisy,  darlin',  for 
the  day's  worrk  ye  are  doon  !  Whoosh  !  there  ye  are  ;  and, 
bedad,  its  hard  tellin'  which  is  the  dirtiest,  the  fut  or  the 
shoe.'  It  was  ;  and,  if  he  hadn't  been  to  the  fore,  I  should 
have  gone  on  pulling,  under  the  impression  that  the  '  fut ' 
was  a  boot ;  for  trousers,  socks,  shoes,  and  legs  were  a  mass 
of  mud.  This  comical  tableau  produced  a  general  grin ; 
at  which  propitious  beginning  I  took  heart,  and  scrubbed 
away  like  any  tidy  parent  on  a  Saturday  night.  Some  of 
them  took  the  performance  like  sleepy  children,  leaning  their 
tired  heads  against  me  as  I  worked  ;  others  looked  grimly 
scandalized  ;  and  several  of  the  roughest  colored  like  bashful 
girls.  One  wore  a  soiled  little  bag  about  his  neck  ;  and,  as 
I  moved  it  to  bathe  his  wounded  breast,  I  said, — 
"  '  Your  talisman  didn't  save  you,  did  it?' 
"  '  Well,  I  reckon  it  did,  marm  ;  for  that  shot  would  a' 
gone  a  couple  a'  inches  deeper  but  for  my  old  mammy's 
camphor-bag,'  answered  the  cheerful  philosopher. 

"  Another,  with  a  gunshot  wound  through  the  cheek, 
asked  for  a  looking-glass,  and,  when  I  brought  one,  re- 
garded his  swollen  face  with  a  dolorous  expression,  as  he 
muttered,  — 


288      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

"  '  I  vow  to  gosh,  that's  too^  bad  !  I  warn't  a  bad-look- 
ing chap  before  ;  and  now  I'm  done  for.  "Won't  there  be  a 
thunderin'  scar !  and  what  on  earth  will  Josephine  Skinner 
say?' 

"  He  looked  up  at  me  with  his  one  eye  so  appealingly,  that 
I  controlled  my  risibles,  and  assured  him,  that,  if  Josephine 
was  a  girl  of  sense,  she  would  admire  the  honorable  scar  as 
a  lasting  proof  that  he  had  faced  the  enemy  ;  for  all  women 
thought  a  wound  the  best  decoration  a  brave  soldier  could 
wear.  I  hope  Miss  Skinner  verified  the  good  opinion  I  so 
rashly  expressed  of  her ;  but  I  shall  never  know. 

"  Having  done  up  our  human  wash,  and  laid  it  out  to 
dry,  the  second  syllable  of  our  version  of  the  word  '  war-fare ' 
was  enacted  with  much  success.  Great  trays  of  bread, 
meat,  soup,  and  coffee,  appeared  ;  and  both  nurses  and  at- 
tendants turned  waiters,  serving  out  bountiful  rations  to  ail 
who  could  eat.  I  can  call  my  pinafore  to  testify  to  my 
good  will  in  the  work  ;  for  in  ten  minutes  it  was  reduced  to 
a  perambulating  bill  of  fare,  presenting  samples  of  all  the 
refreshments  going  or  gone.  It  was  a  lively  scene, — the  long 
room  lined  with  rows  of  beds,  each  filled  by  an  occupant 
whom  water,  shears,  and  clean  raiment,  had  transformed 
from  a  dismal  ragamuffin  into  a  recumbent  hero  with  a 
cropped  head.  To  and  fro  rushed  matrons,  maids,  and  con- 
valescent '  boys,'  skirmishing  with  knives  and  forks,  retreat- 
ing with  empty  plates,  marching  and  countermarching  with 
unvaried  success  ;  while  the  clash  of  busy  spoons  made  most 
inspiring  music  for  the  charge  of  our  Light  Brigade. 


HOSPITAL-SCENES.  289 

'  Beds  to  the  front  of  them, 
Beds  to  the  right  of  them, 
Beds  to  the  left  of  them : 

Nobody  blundered. 
Beamed  at  by  hungry  souls, 
Screamed  at  with  brimming  bowls, 
Steamed  at  by  army  rolls 

Buttered  and  sundered. 
With  coffee,  not  cannon,  plied, 
Each  must  be  satisfied, 
Whether  they  lived  or  died : 
All  the  men  wondered.' 

"  Very  welcome  seemed  the  generous  meal  after  a  week 
of  suffering,  exposure,  and  short  commons.  Soon  the  brown 
faces  began  to  smile,  as  food,  warmth,  and  rest  did  their 
pleasant  work  ;  and  the  grateful  '  thankees '  were  followed 
by  more  graphic  accounts  of  the  battle  and  retreat  than 
any  paid  reporter  could  have  given  us. 

"  At  five  o'clock,  a  great  bell  rang  ;  and  the  attendants 
flew,  not  to  arms,  but  to  their  trays,  to  bring  up  supper, 
when  a  second  uproar  announced  that  it  was  ready.  The  new- 
comers woke  at  the  sound  ;  and  I  presently  discovered  that 
it  took  a  very  bad  wound  to  incapacitate  the  defenders  of 
the  faith  for  the  consumption  of  their  rations.  The  amount 
that  some  of  them  sequestered  was  amazing ;  but,  when  I 
suggested  to  the  matron  the  probability  of  a  famine  hereaf- 
ter, that  motherly  lady  cried  out,  '  Bless  their  hearts  !  why 
shouldn't  they  eat  ?  its  their  only  amusement :  so  fill  every 
one  ;  and,  if  there's  not  enough  to-night,  I'll  lend  my  share 

19 


290      FIELD,    GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

to  the  Lord  by  giving  it  to  the  boys.'  And,  whipping  up  her 
coffee-pot  and  plate  of  toast,  she  gladdened  the  eyes  and 
stomachs  of  two  or  three  dissatisfied  heroes  by  serving  them 
with  a  liberal  hand  ;  and  I  haven't  the  slightest  doubt,  that, 
having  cast  her  bread  upon  the  waters,  it  came  back  but- 
tered, as  another  large-hearted  .old  lady  was  wont  to  say. 

"  Then  came  the  doctor's  evening  visit,  the  administra- 
tion of  medicines,  washing  feverish  faces,  smoothing  tum- 
bled beds,  wetting  wounds,  singing  lullabies,  and  prepara- 
tions for  the  night.  By  eleven,  the  last  labor  of  love  was 
done,  the  last  '  good-night '  spoken  ;  and,  if  any  needed  a 
reward  for  that  day's  work,  they  surely  received  it  in  the 
silent  eloquence  of  those  long  lines  of  faces,  showing  pale 
and  peaceful  in  the  shaded  rooms  as  we  quitted  them,  fol- 
lowed by  grateful  glances  that  lighted  us  to  bed,  where  rest 
the  sweetest  made  our  pillows  soft,  while  Night  and  Nature 
took  our  places,  filling  that  great  house  of  pain  with  the 
healing  miracles  of  Sleep,  and  his  diviner  brother  Death." 

Miss  Alcott  bears  the  following  testimony  to  the  patience 
of  those  who  were  under  her  care :  — 

"  It  is  all  very  well  to  talk  of  the  patience  of  woman, .and 
far  be  it  from  me  to  pluck  that  feather  from  her  cap  ;  for, 
Heaven  knows,  she  isn't  allowed  to  wear  many :  but  the  pa- 
tient endurance  of  these  men,  under  trials  of  the  flesh,  was 
truly  wonderful.  Their  fortitude  seemed  contagious ;  and 
scarcely  a  cry  escaped  them,  though  I  often  longed  to  groan 
for  them,  when  pride  kept  their  white  lips  shut,  while  great 
drops  stood  upon  their  foreheads,  and  the  bed  shook  with  the 
irrepressible  tremor  of  their  tortured  bodies." 


HOSPITAL-SCENES.  291 

Hospitals  and  hospital -scenes  can  never  in  future  be 
mentioned  in  our  land  without  the  mind's  reverting  to  the 
noblest  charity  the  world  ever  knew, — the  Sanitary  Commis- 
sion. Armed  and  equipped  for  its  country's  service  by  the 
loyal  women  at  home,  through  their  various  general  and 
auxiliary  societies,  this  Commission  gave  comfort  and  ma- 
terial aid  to  hundreds  of  thousands  among  our  brave  de- 
fenders, and  doubtless  saved  many  thousands  of  valuable 
lives.  No  language  can  express  what  the  Federal  forces 
owe  to  the  Sanitary  Commission  ;  and  in  this  obligation 
many  a  rebel  shared.  The  following  touching  incident  is 
but  one  among  many  similar  scenes  witnessed  by  the  em- 
ployes of  the  Sanitary  Commission  :  — 

"  A  rebel  prisoner  asked  a  clean  shirt  for  his  young  com- 
rade, whose  fresh  but  bloodstained  bandages  told  of  a  recent 
amputation  just  above  the  knee.  One  of  the  Sanitary  Com- 
mission gave  the  shirt,  but  said  the  boy  must  first  be  washed. 
'  Who  will  do  that  ? '  — '  Oh  !  any  of  those  women  yonder.' 
A  kind-looking  woman  from  Philadelphia  was  asked  if  she 
was  willing  to  wash  a  rebel  prisoner.  '  Certainly,'  was  the 
prompt  reply :  '  I  have  a  son  in  the  Union  army ;  and  I 
would  like  to  have  somebody  wash  him.'  With  towel  and 
water  in  a  tin  basin,  she  cheerfully  walked  through  the  mud 
to  the  tent.  Careful  not  to  disturb  the  amputated  leg,  she 
gently  removed  the  old  shirt,  and  began  to  wash  him ;  but 
the  tenderness  of  a  mother's  heart  was  at  work,  and  she 
began  to  cry  over  him,  saying  that  she  imagined  she  was 
washing  her  own  son.  This  was  more  than  he  could  bear. 
He,  too,  began  to  weep,  and  to  ask  God  to  bless  her  for  her 


292       FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

kindness  to  him.  The  scene  was  too  much  for  the  by- 
standers ;  and  they  left  the  Northern  mother  and  the  South- 
ern son  to  their  sacred  grief,  wishing  that  tears  could  blot 
out  the  sin  of  this  Rebellion,  and  the  blood  of  this  unnatural 
war." 

The  noble  self-sacrifice  of  our  loyal  women,  who  left  the 
comforts  of  home  for  the  dreary  hospital  and  its  often  un- 
pleasant duties,  cannot  be  too  highly  commended  ;  and  the 
value  of  their  presence  to  many  a  sick,  wounded,  and  dying 
soldier,  can  never  be  computed.  They  were  truly  minister- 
ing spirits  ;  and  in  the  land  of  angels  alone  can  they  ever  be 
fully  appreciated.  The  following  incident,  given  by  Prof. 
Hackett  in  his  excellent  "  Memorials  of  the  War,"  illus- 
trates the  value  of  their  presence  in  one  case  :  — 

"  Among  the  many  brave,  uncomplaining  fellows  who 
were  brought  up  to  the  hospital  from  the  battle  of  Freder- 
icksburg,  was  a  light-eyed,  intelligent  youth,  sixteen  years 
old,  who  belonged  to  a  Northern  regiment.  He  appeared 
more  affectionate  and  tender,  more  refined  and  thoughtful, 
than  many  of  his  comrades,  and  attracted  a  good  deal  of 
attention  from  the  attendants  and  visitors.  Manifestly  the 
pet  of  some  household,  which  he  had  left,  perhaps,  in  spite 
of  entreaty  and  tears,  he  expressed  an  anxious  longing  for  the 
arrival  of  his  mother,  who  was  expected,  having  been  in- 
formed that  he  was  mortally  wounded,  and  failing  fast.  Ere 
she  arrived,  however,  he  died. 

•*  But,  before  the  end,  almost  his  last  act  of  consciousness 
was  the  thought  that  she  had  really  come  ;  for  as  a  lady 
sat  by  his  pillow,  and  wiped  the  death-sweat  from  his  brow, 


HOSPITAL-SCENES.  293 

just  as  his  sight  was  failing,  he  rallied  a  little,  like  an  ex- 
piring taper  in  its  socket,  looked  up  longingly  and  joyfully, 
and,  in  tones  that  drew  tears  from  every  eye,  whispered  au- 
dibly, 'Is  that  mother?'  Then,  drawing  her  toward  him 
with  all  his  feeble  power,  he  nestled  his  head  in  her  arms 
like  a  sleeping  infant,  and  thus  died,  with  the  sweet  word 
'  mother  '  on  his  quivering  lips." 

Those  "  little  gifts,"  how  they  have  cheered  our  soldiers  ! 
Prof.  Hackett  felicitously  calls  these  gifts,  and  their  inscrip- 
tions, "  The  Current  between  Home  and  Camp  ; "  and  goes 
on  to  say,  — 

"  Some  of  the  marks  fastened  on  the  blankets,  shirts,  and 
other  gifts  sent  to  the  Sanitary  Commission  for  the  soldiers, 
showed  the  thought  and  feeling  at  home.  Thus  on  a  home- 
spun blanket,  worn,  but  washed  as  clean  as  snow,  was 
pinned  a  bit  of  paper,  which  said,  '  This  blanket  was  car- 
ried by  Miles  Aldrich  (who  is  ninety-three  years  old),  down 
hill  and  up  hill,  a  mile  and  a  half,  to  be  given  to  some  sol- 
dier/ 

"  On  a  bed-quilt  was  pinned  a  card,  saying,  '  My  son  is 
in  the  army.  Whoever  is  made  warm  by  this  quilt,  which 
I  have  worked  on  for  six  days  and  the  greater  part  of  six 
nights,  let  him  remember  his  own  mother's  love.' 

"  On  another  blanket  was  this :  '  This  blanket  was  used 
by  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  May  it  keep  some  soldier 
warm  in  this  war  against  traitors  ! ' 

"  On  a  pillow  was  written,  '  This  pillow  belonged  to  my 
little  boy,  who  died  resting  on  it.  It  is  a  precious  treasure 
to  me  ;  but  I  give  it  for  the  soldiers.' 


294       FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

"  On  a  pair  of  woollen  socks  was  written,  '  These  stock- 
ings were  knit  by  a  little  girl  five  years  old  ;  and  she  is  going 
to  knit  some  more,  for  mother  says  it  will  help  some  poor 
soldier.' 

"  On  a  box  of  beautiful  lint  was  this  mark  :  '  Made  in  a 
sick-room,  where  the  sunlight  has  not  entered  for  nine  years, 
but  where  God  has  entered,  and  where  two  sons  have  bid 
their  mother  good-by  as  they  have  gone  out  to  the  war.' 

"  On  a  bundle  containing  bandages  was  written,  '  This  is 
a  poor  gift ;  but  it  is 'all  I  had.  I  have  given  my  husband 
and  my  boy,  and  only  wish  I  had  more  to  give  ;  but  I  have 
not.' 

On  some  eye-shades  was  marked,  '  Made  by  one  who  is 
blind.  Oh,  how  I  long  to  see  the  dear  old  flag  you  are  all 
fighting  under  ! ' " 

Kindred  to  all  these  was  this  impromptu,  by  a  lady  of  Sa- 
lem, Mass.,*  now  first  published.  It  was  placed  on  a  pair 
of  stockings  for  the  army. 

"  Go  forth  on  thy  mission,  this  work  of  my  hand; 
Make  warm  the  cold  feet  that  now  shivering  stand ; 
For  they  wander  from  home  and  loved  ones  to-day  : 
But  tell  the  brave  hearts  that  for  them  we  pray ; 
That  our  work  with  our  prayers  shall  follow  them  now, 
Till  the  wreath  of  the  victor  is  placed  on  their  brow  ; 
That  our  Father  will  guide  their  feet  from  all  harm, 
And  shield  by  his  love  from  danger  and  storm  ; 
That  he'll  give  the  strong  arm  the  strength  of  his  might, 
And  peace  to  (he  cause  that  is  right  in  his  sight." 

*  Mrs.  M.  G.  Farmer  ("Mabelle"). 


HOSPITAL-SCENES.  295 

The  lady  who  thus  helped  to  form  the  above  links  be- 
tween home  and  camp  or  hospital,  was  then,  and  is  still,  an 
invalid  ;  having  been  much  of  the  time,  for  several  years, 
confined  to  her  room  and  bed.  Yet  she  did  enough  for  our 
sick  and  wounded  soldiers  to  shame  those  in  health  who  did 
nothing.  She  planned,  and,  by  the  efficient  aid  of  her  hus- 
band and  many  friends,  conducted,  a  Fair  in  the  city  of  Sa- 
lem, in  1864,  which  brought  her  eight  hundred  dollars  for 
the  use  of  the  soldiers.  This  sum  was  faithfully  expended  :  a 
part  of  it  was  used  to  provide  a  library  for  Jefferson  Bar- 
racks, Missouri,  in  response  to  a  call  from  Mr.  C.  H.  Tal- 
madge  ;  and  three  hundred  dollars  of  it,  at  least,  went  to 
our  soldiers  through  an  agent  of  the  Christian  Commission, 
—  Rev.  J.  W.  Dadmun.  Such  devotion  to  country  cannot 
go  unappreciated.  Our  soldiers  were  cheered  by  it,  and  her 
own  heart  was  blessed. 

"  Carleton  "  wrote  concerning  the  Fair,  to  the  "  Boston 
Journal,"  as  follows  :  — 

"  One  of  the  many  affecting  incidents  in  connection  with 
this  enterprise  is  that  of  a  little  blind  girl,  who  heard  of 
what  this  lady  had  undertaken,  and  her  sympathy  was  at 
once  aroused.  What  could  she  do  for  the  soldiers  ?  The 
active  brain  and  tender  heart  soon  found  work  for  the  will- 
ing hands.  Various  kind  of  bead  and  needle  work  were 
soon  fashioned  into  forms  of  beauty  by  her  delicate  sense  of 
touch.  Her  heart  was  in  the  work,  and  she  did  what  she 
could.  When  the  articles  were  finished,  she  gathered  them 
up  in  her  arms,  and  was  led  by  two  little  girls  to  a  house 


296       FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

where  the  contributions  were  being  collected  ;  and  there  she 
presented  her  gifts  to  the  soldiers'  Fair." 

The  "  New-Bedford  Mercury  "  sends  the  following  :  — 

"  Yesterday  forenoon,  a  poor  woman,  earning  but  twenty- 
five  cents  a  day  by  sewing,  entered  a  grocery-store  in  the 
west  part  of  the  city,  and  paid  for  ten  packages  of  corn- 
starch,  to  be  sent  to  the  City  Hall,  and  thence  to  the  sick 
and  wounded  soldiers  of  the  army.  '  Verily  I  say  unto 
you,  that  this  poor  widow  hath  cast  more  in  than  all  they 
which  have  cast  into  the  treasury.' " 

That  these  self-denying  ones  did  not  give  in  vain,  no 
candid  mind  can  doubt.  Through  those  noble  charities,  the 
Sanitary  and  Christian  Commissions,  those  benefactions 
were  honestly  and  liberally  dispensed.  Yet  there  were 
some  opposed  to  the  elder  Commission,  and  undoubtedly 
without  sufficient  cause. 

It  has  been  thought  by  some  that  the  Christian  Commis- 
sion was  needed  to  care  for  the  souls  of  the  soldiers,  because 
the  Sanitary  Commission  "  cared  for  none  of  these  things." 
This  is  a  mistake.  Many  of  the  agents  and  nurses  be- 
longing to  the  Sanitary  Commission  were  earnest  and  active 
Christians ;  and  the  sick  and  wounded  did  not  lack  for 
friends  in  them,  who  would  point  them  to  "  the  Lamb  of  God, 
who  taketh  away  the  sins  of  the  world." 

The  following  remarkable  narration,  having  reference  to 
a  hospital  visit,  is  from  the  "New-Bedford  Mercury,"  and 
believed  to  be  reliable  in  every  particular  :  — 

"  Elizabeth  Comstock,  a  lady  of  English  birth,  and  a 
resident  of  Michigan,  is  an  eloquent  preacher  of  the  Society 


HOSPITAL-SCENES.  297 

of  Friends.  For  some  years,  she  has  devoted  herself  par- 
ticularly to  visiting  prisons  and  hospitals,  and,  with  the  self- 
denying  spirit  of  a  Fry  or  a  Howard,  has  ministered  to  the 
miserable  inmates.  She  was  in  attendance  at  the  recent 
Yearly  Meeting  of  Friends  at  Newport,  and,  at  the  close  of 
it,  was  urged  to  visit  Salem,  and  spend  last  First  Day  with 
Friends  there.  This  invitation  she  declined,  saying  there 
were  no  hospitals  or  prisons  there  ;  and  to  these  was  her  mis- 
sion. Soon  after,  however,  yielding  to  a  strong  impression 
upon  her  own  mind  that  it  was  her  duty,  she  announced  that 
she  would  go  to  Salem.  She  attended  Friends'  meeting,  and 
preached;  her  subject  being  'the  Value  of  Early  Religious 
Training.'  Illustrative  of  this,  she  narrated  the  following 
touching  incident :  — 

"  Soon  after  the  terrible  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  some 
year  and  a  half  since,  she  visited  one  of  the  hospitals  in  the 
vicinity  of  Washington,  going  from  ward  to  ward,  and  from 
cot  to  cot,  comforting  and  consoling  the  wounded  sufferers. 
Upon  one  bed  lay  a  young  man,  with  eyes  closed,  and  ap- 
parently insensible.  The  attendant  remarked,  that  it  would 
be  useless  to  speak  to  him,  as  he  had  been  constantly  deliri- 
ous since  his  arrival,  and  had  now  relapsed  into  a  death-like 
stupor.  But  the  good  lady,  full  of  motherly,  Christian  sym- 
pathy, stopped  by  the  bedside,  and  repeated  Dr.  Watts's 
hymn,  in  her  sweet  tones, — 

'  Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 
Feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are/  &c. 

"As  she  closed,  the  young  man  looked  up  with  an  intelli- 
gent smile,  and,  seeing  a  female  form,  said,  '  I  knew  you 


298      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

would  come,  mother,  and  speak  to  me  of  Jesus.'  By  his 
side  the  good  woman  remained,  we  believe,  till  the  spirit 
left  him,  catching  his  last  accents  on  earth,  '  Mother,  I  am 
going  to  Jesus.' 

"  But  the  most  remarkable  part  of  our  story  is  to  come. 
As  the  meeting  broke  up,  and  the  Friends  were  leaving, 
the  preacher's  attention  was  arrested  by  a  female  face  in  the 
throng ;  and  she  remarked  to  a  friend,  '  That  must  be  the 
mother  of  the  young  soldier  of  whom  I  spoke.'  They  met, 
the  preacher  and  the  mother ;  and,  upon  comparing  notes, 
the  fact  was  established  that  it  was  the  son  of  that  mother 
to  whom  Elizabeth  Comstock  had  ministered  in  his  dying 
hour,  and  had  thus  brought  to  her  the  first  knowledge  of  his 
death.  Our  readers  can  imagine  the  consolation  thus  given 
by  the  assurance,  that,  in  his  dying  hour,  the  young  soldier 
thought  of  his  mother,  and  coupled  her  name  with  that  of 
Jesus,  whom  she  had  taught  him  to  revere.  Who  shall  say 
that  the  Good  Spirit  did  not  lead  Elizabeth  Comstock  out  of 
her  chosen  path  of  labor  to  carry  comfort  to  the  heart  of 
that  Salem  mother  ?  " 

Volumes  might  be  filled  with  incidents  of  thrilling  interest 
which  have  occurred  at  our  hospitals,  both  among  the  rebel 
as  well  as  among  the  loyal  soldiers. 

The  loyal  hearts  at  home  deserve  great  credit  for  their  effi- 
cient aid  to  the  agents  in  the  field.  The  great  Sanitary  Fairs 
of  our  large  cities  furnished  thousands  of  dollars  to  carry  on 
the  work  ;  and,  as  we  have  seen,  even  children  and  invalids 
lent  their  little  aid,  made  "  mighty  through  God,"  to  save  their 
Country  in  her  hour  of  peril.  The  benefactions  of  loyalists 


HOSPITAL-SCENES.  299 

are  worthy  of  mention  and  remembrance,  and  make  one  proud 
of  a  country  whose  inhabitants  are  so  liberal  and  benevo- 
lent. One  of  our  religious  papers  thus  sums  up  the  money 
in  various  ways  laid  upon  the  altar  of  patriotism  and  human- 
ity:— 

"  The  total  contributions  from  states,  counties,  and  towns, 
for  the  aid  .and  relief  of  soldiers,  amounted,  during  the  war, 
to  $187,209,608.62.  The  contributions  of  associations  and 
individuals  for  the  care  and  comfort  of  soldiers  were  $24,- 
044,863.96  ;  for  sufferers  abroad,  $380,040.74  ;  for  sufferers 
by  the  riots  of  July,  for  freedmen  and  white  refugees, 
$639,633.13  ;  making  a  grand  total,  exclusive  of  expendi- 
tures of  the  Government,  of  $212,274,248.45." 

THE  SOLDIER'S  FRIEND.  —  To  no  single  individual  in  our 
land,  so  far  as  private  contributions  and  personal  efforts  are 
concerned,  can  the  title  of  "  The  Soldier's  Friend"  be  more 
appropriately  given  than  to  Count  L.  B.  Schwabe,  at  the  pre- 
sent time  a  resident  of  Boston,  Mass.  We  have  endeavored 
to  obtain  from  him  some  facts  with  regard  to  his  munificent 
charities  during  the  past  four  years  ;  but  he  persistently  re- 
fuses to  parade  his  generous  deeds  before  the  public  gaze. 
We  are  consequently  obliged  to  give  but  a  meagre  account 
of  one,  who,  though  a  native  of  a  far-distant  country  (Ger- 
many), and  independent  of  any  claims,  which  we,  as  a  people, 
could  make  upon  his  generosity,  has  been  one  of  the  truest 
and  most  liberal  friends  which  the  officers  and  soldiers  in 
our  army  have  had  during  the  late  Rebellion.  In  a  thou- 
sand ways,  frequently  untold  and  unknown,  his  generous 


300      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

bounty  has  found  its  way  to  some  soldier  or  officer,  some 
company  or  regiment,  some  camp  or  hospital,  in  some  part 
of  the  land.  We  know  that  he  now  has  in  his  possession 
thousands  of  letters  of  thanks  and  recommendations,  which 
he  has  received  from  our  most  distinguished  generals  and 
the  governors  of  States,  but  which  he  is  not  willing  to  make 
public. 

Count  Sclrwabe  is  now  creating  a  most  magnificent  me- 
morial of  our  heroic  dead,  —  THE  NATIONAL  GALLERY  OF 
FALLEN  HEROES  ;  in  which  work  he  is  engaged  with  all  the 
enthusiasm  of  his  ardent  nature  and  the  resources  of  his 
generous  purse.  This  gallery  he  designs  shall  be  an  endur- 
ing monument  to  the  memory  of  the  gallant  men  who  have 
laid  down  their  lives  for  their  country.  Several  of  the  por- 
traits already  completed  were  on  exhibition  at  the  Mechanics' 
Fair  in  Boston,  and  attracted  universal  attention  for  their 
excellence,  and  truthfulness  to  nature.  These  portraits  are 
in  oil,  life-size,  and  from  the  hands  of  the  best  artists.  They 
represent  officers  and  men  of  all  ranks  in  the  army  and 
navy,  and  from  every  loyal  State.  Secretary  Stanton,  who 
was  pi'esent  at  the  opening  of  the  fair,  spoke  of  them  in  the 
warmest  manner,  congratulated  Count  Schwabe  on  the  suc- 
cess which  has  thus  far  attended  his  efforts  to  form  such  a 
gallery,  and  expressed  his  desire  to  be  present  at  its  inau- 
guration. 

The  interesting  theme  is  left  with  the  pleasant  thought, 
that,  in  the  book  of  heavenly  remembrance,  no  act  of  mercy, 
or  deed  of  divine  charity  or  loyal  devotion,  will  be  unre- 
corded. 


PRISON-HORRORS.  301 


CHAPTER  VH. 


PKISON-HOBBOBS. 

"In  the  prison  cell  I  sit, 

Thinking,  mother  dear,  of  you, 
And  oar  bright  and  happy  home  so  far  away; 
And  the  tears  they  fill  my  eyes, 
Spite  of  all  that  I  can  do, 

Though  I  try  to  cheer  my  comrades,  and  be  gay. 
Chorus. — Tramp,  tramp,  tramp,  the  boys  are  marching: 
Cheer  up,  comrades;  they  will  come ; 
And  beneath  the  starry  flag 
We  shall  breathe  the  air  again 
Of  the  free  land  in  our  own  beloved  home. 

In  the  battle  front  we  stood 

When  their  fiercest  charge  they  made, 

And  they  swept  us  off,  a  hundred  men  or  more ; 
But  before  we  reached  their  lines 
They  were  driven  back  dismayed, 

And  we  heard  the  cry  of  victory  o'er  and  o'er. 
Chorus.  —  Tramp,  tramp,  tramp,  &o. 

So,  within  the  prison-cell, 
We  are  waiting  for  the  day 
That  shall  open  wide  the  iron  door; 


302       FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

And  the  hollow  eye  grows  bright, 
And  the  poor  heart  almost  gay, 
As  we  think  of  seeing  home  and  friends  once  more. 

Chorus.— Tramp,  tramp,  tramp,"  &c.— ANONYMOUS. 

(J^J*'  HIS  popular  song,  which  was  first  sung  at  the  Cen- 
(CJ  M  tennial  celebration  at  Ashfield,  June  21,  1865,  has 
been  sung  in  cot  and  hall,  by  road  and  fireside,  with 
tearful  eyes  and  aching  hearts,  because  it  pictured  (alas  !  too 
truly)  the  sufferings  of  Union  soldiers  in  rebel  prisons, 
starving  to  death,  but  longing  for  liberty. 

It  is  a  matter  of  profoundest  mystery  to  all,  except  those 
who  understand,  in  a  measure,  the  baleful  influence  of  slavery 
even  upon  the  whites,  how  our  "  Southern  brethren  "  could 
ever  be  so  cruel  to  their  prisoners  of  war.  But  the  testi- 
mony is  too  strong  to  be  denied ;  and  from  nameless 
graves  at  the  South,  and  graves  at  the  North  untimely  filled, 
goes  up  to  heaven  the  cry  against  the  pitiless  cruelty  of 
Southern  captors.  The  record  of  rebel  atrocities  is  dark 
and  damning.  There  is  no  language  but  that  of  Scripture 
to  express  the  character  of  those  who  tortured  their  prison- 
ers unto  death,  following  them  with  merciless  hatred  even 
unto  the  grave :  they  were  truly  "  earthly,  sensual,  dev- 
ilish". 

The  following  extracts  from  the  "  Report  of  the  Com- 
mittee appointed  by  the  United-States  Sanitary  Commission 
to  investigate  the  Treatment  of  Union  Prisoners  by  the  Re- 
bel Authorities"  will  unfold  a  horrible  tale  of  barbarities, 
fit  for  the  dark  ages,  with  their  blind  superstitions,  rather  than 
for  the  nineteenth  century,  with  its  light  and  freedom :  — 


PRISON-HORRORS.  303 

"  In  entering  upon  their  duties,  the  commissioners  had  no 
other  wish  than  to  ascertain  the  truth,  and  to  report  the 
facts  as  they  were.  For  this  they  endeavored  to  collect  all 
the  evidence  within  their  reach,  and  to  hear  and  record 
all  that  could  be  said  on  every  side  of  the  subject.  They 
were  accompanied  by  a  United-States  commissioner  ;  and  in 
every  case  the  testimony  was  taken  on  oath  or  affirmation 
before  him,  or,  in  his  absence,  before  other  officers  equally 
empowered. 

"The  commissioners,  at  the  very  outset,  were  brought 
face  to  face  with  the  returned  captives.  They  first  visited 
the  two  extensive  hospitals  in  Annapolis,  occupying  the 
spacious  buildings  and  grounds  of  the  Naval  Academy  and 
St.  John's  College,  where  over  three  thousand  of  them  had 
been  brought,  in  every  conceivable  form  of  suffering,  direct 
from  the  Libby  Prison,  Belle  Isle,  and  two  or  three  other 
Southern  military  stations.  They  also  visited  the  West's 
Buildings  Hospital,  and  the  Jarvis  General  Hospital  in 
Baltimore,  where  several  hundreds  had  been  brought  in  an 
equally  dreadful  condition. 

"  The  photographs  of  these  diseased  and  emaciated  men, 
since  so  widely  circulated,  painful  as  they  are,  do  not,  in 
many  respects,  adequately  represent  the  sufferers  as  they 
then  appeared. 

"  The  first  fact  developed  by  the  testimony  of  both  officers 
and  privates  is,  that  prisoners  were  almost  invariably  robbed 
of  every  thing  valuable  in  their  possession ;  sometimes  on 


•304      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

the  field,  at  the  instant  of  capture  ;  sometimes  by  the  prison 
authorities,  in  a  '  quasi  official  way,'  with  the  promise  of 
return  when  exchanged  or  paroled,  but  which  promise  was 
never  fulfilled.  This  robbery  amounted  often  to  a  stripping 
of  the  person  of  even  necessary  clothing.  Blankets  and 
overcoats  were  almost  always  taken,  and  sometimes  other 
articles  ;  in  which  case,  damaged  ones  were  returned  in  their 
stead.  This  preliminary  over,  the  captives  were  taken  to 
prison. 

"  The  Libby,  which  is  best  known,  though  also  used  as  a 
place  of  confinement  for  private  soldiers,  is  generally  un- 
derstood to  be  the  officers'  prison.  It  is  a  row  of  brick 
buildings,  three  stories  high,  situated  on  the  canal,  and  over- 
looking the  James  River ;  and  was  formerly  a  tobacco 
warehouse.  The  partitions  between  the  buildings  have  been 
pierced  with  doorways  on  each  story.  The  rooms  are  one 
hundred  feet  long  by  forty  feet  broad.  In  six  of  these 
rooms,  twelve  hundred  United-States  officers  of  all  grades, 
from  the  brigadier-general  to  the  second  lieutenant,  were 
confined  for  many  months  ;  and  this  was  all  the  space  that 
was  allowed  them  in  which  to  cook,  eat,  wash,  sleep,  and  take 
exercise  !  It  seems  incredible.  Ten  feet  by  two  were  all 
that  could  be  claimed  by  each  man,  —  hardly  enough  to 
measure  his  length  upon  ;  and  even  this  was  further  abridged 
by  the  room  necessarily  taken  for  cooking,  washing,  and 
clothes-drying. 

"  At  one  time,  they  were  not  allowed  the  use  of  benches, 
chairs,  or  stools  ;  nor  even  to  fold  their  blankets,  and  sit  upon 
them  :  but  those  who  would  rest  were  obliged  to  huddle  on 


PRISON-HORRORS.  305 

their  haunches,  as  one  of  them  expresses  it,  '  like  so  many 
slaves  on  the  middle  passage.'  After  a  while,  this  severe 
restriction  was  removed,  and  they  were  allowed  to  make 
chairs  and  stools  for  themselves  out  of  the  barrels  and  boxes 
which  they  had  received  from  the  North. 

"  They  were  overrun  with  vermin,  in  spite  of  every 
precaution  and  constant  ablutions.  Their  blankets,  which 
averaged  one  to  a  man,  and  sometimes  less,  had  not  been 
issued  by  the  rebels,  but  had  been  procured  in  different 
ways,  —  sometimes  by  purchase,  sometimes  through  the  San- 
itary Commission.  The  prisoners  had  to  help  themselves 
from  the  refuse  accumulation  of  these  articles,  which,  having 
seen  similar  service  before,  were  often  ragged,  and  full  of 
vermin.  In  these  they  wrapped  themselves  at  night,  and 
lay  down  on  the  hard  plank-floor  in  close  and  stifling  con- 
tact, — '  wormed  and  dovetailed  together,'  as  one  of  them 
testifies,  '  like  fish  in  a  basket.'  The  floors  were  recklessly 
washed  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  were  therefore  damp,  and 
dangerous  to  sleep  upon.  Almost  every  one  had  a  cough  in 
consequence. 

"  There  were  seventy-five  windows  in  these  rooms,  all 
more  or  less  broken ;  and  in  winter  the  cold  was  intense. 
Two  stoves  in  a  room,  with  two  or  three  armfuls  of  wood 
to  each,  did  not  prove  sufficient,  under  this  exposure,  to  keep 
them  warm. 

"  The  regulations  varied,  at  different  periods,  in  stringency 
and  severity ;  and  it  is  difficult  to  describe  the  precise  con- 
dition of  things  at  any  one  time  ;  but  the  above  comes  from 
two  officers,  Lieut.-Col.  Farnsworth  and  Capt.  Calhoun. 
20 


306      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

As  it  happens,  they  are  representatives  of  the  two  opposite 
classes  of  officers  confined  in  the  Libby.  The  former, 
coming  from  Connecticut,  and  influentially  connected  at  the 
Xorth,  was  one  of  a  mess  to  which  a  great  profusion  of 
supplies,  and  even  luxuries,  were  sent.  The  latter,  coming 
from  Kentucky,  and  being  differently  situated,  was  entirely 
dependent  upon  the  prison-fare.  These  officers  were  there 
during  the  same  season,  but  never  became  acquainted.  The 
accounts  of  each,  found  in  the  evidence  side  by  side,  are 
here  combined,  and  run  together. 

"  From  their  statements,  it  appears  that  the  hideous  dis- 
comfort was  never  lessened  by  any  variation  in  the  rules, 
but  often  increased.  The  prison  did  not  seem  to  be 
under  any  general  and  uniform  army  regulations ;  but 
the  captives  were  subject  to  the  caprices  of  Major  Turner, 
the  officer  in  charge,  and  Richard  Turner,  inspector  of  the 
prison. 

"  It  was  among  the  rules,  that  no  one  should  go  within 
three  feet  of  the  windows, — a  rule  which  seems  to  be  general 
in  all  Southern  prisons  of  this  character,  and  which  their 
frequently  crowded  state  rendered  peculiarly  severe,  and 
difficult  to  observe.  The  manner  in  which  the  regulation 
was  enforced  was  unjustifiably  and  wantonly  cruel.  Often 
by  accident,  or  unconsciously,  an  officer  would  go  near  a 
window,  and  be  instantly  shot  at  without  warning.  The  re- 
ports of  the  sentry's  musket  were  heard  almost  every  day  ; 
and  frequently  a  prisoner  fell,  either  killed  or  wounded.  It 
was  even  worse  with  a  large  prison  near  by,  called  the 
4  Pemberton  Buildings,'  which  was  crowded  with  enlisted 


PRISON-HORRORS.  307 

men.  The  firing  into  its  windows  was  a  still  more  common 
occurrence.  The  officers  have  heard  as  many  as  fourteen 
shots  fired  in  a  single  day.  They  could  see  the  guards 
watching  an  opportunity  to  fire ;  and  often,  after  one  of 
them  had  discharged  his  musket,  the  sergeant  of  the  guard 
would  appear  at  .the  door,  bringing  out  a  dead  or  wounded 
soldier. 

"  So  careless  as  this  were  the  authorities  as  to  the  effect 
of  placing  thei$  prisoners  in  the  power  of  the  rude  and 
brutal  soldiery  on  guard.  It  became  a  matter  of  sport 
among  the  latter  '  to  shoot  a  Yankee.'  They  were  seen  in 
attitudes  of  expectation,  with  guns  cocked,  watching  the 
windows  for  a  shot.  Sometimes  they  did  not  even  wait  for 
an  infraction  of  the  rule.  Lieut.  Hammond  was  shot  at 
while  in  a  small  boarded  enclosure,  where  there  was  no 
window,  only  an  aperture  between  the  boards.  The  guard 
caught  sight  of  his  hat  through  this  opening,  and  aiming 
lower,  so  as  to  reach  his  heart,  fired.  A  nail  turned  the 
bullet  upward,  and  it  passed  through  his  ear  and  hat-brim. 
The  officers  reported  the  outrage  to  Major  Turner,  who 
merely  replied,  '  The  boys  are  in  want  of  practice.'  The 
sentry  said  '  he  had  made  a  bet  that  he  would  kill  a  damned 
Yankee  before  he  came  off  guard.'  No  notice  was  taken  of 
the  occurrence  by  the  authorities.  The  brutal  fellow,  en- 
couraged by  this  impunity,  tried  to  murder  another  officer 
in  the  same  way.  Lieut.  Huggins  was  standing  eight  feet 
from  the  window,  in  the  second  story.  The  top  of  his  hat 
was  visible  to  the  guard,  who  left  his  beat,  went  into  the 
street,  took  deliberate  aim,  and  fired.  Providentially  he 


308      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

was  seen  :  a  warning  cry  was  uttered.  Huggins  stooped, 
and  the  bullet  buried  itself  in  the  beams  above. 

"  Very  much  the  same  thing  is  mentioned  as  happening 
to  the  prison-buildings  at  Danville.  A  man  was  standing 
by  the  window,  conversing  with  Private  Wilcox  :  at  his  feet 
was  the  place  where  he  slept  at  night,  close  under  the  win- 
dow, and  where  his  blanket  lay  rolled  up.  He  had  his  hand 
on  the  casement.  The  guard  must  have  seen  his  shadow, 
for  he  was  invisible  from  the  regular  beatj.  and  went  out 
twenty  feet  to  get  a  shot  at  him.  Before  the  poor  fellow 
could  be  warned,  the  bullet  entered  his  forehead,  and  he  fell 
dead  at  the  feet  of  his  companion.  Almost  every  prisoner 
had  such  an  incident  to  tell.  Some  had  been  shot  at  them- 
selves a  number  of  times,  and  had  seen  others  repeatedly 
fired  upon.  One  testifies  that  he  had  seen  five  hundred  men 
shot  at. 

"  The  same  brutal  style  of  '  sporting,'  while  on  guard, 
seems  to  have  prevailed  wherever  the  license  was  given  by 
this  cruel  and  unnecessary  rule.  Capt.  Calhoun  mentions, 
that  while  he  and  his  companions  were  on  their  way  to 
Richmond  from  North-eastern  Georgia,  where  they  were 
captured,  they  stopped  at  Atlanta ;  and,  just  before  they 
started,  a  sick  soldier,  who  was  near  the  line  beyond  which 
the  prisoners  were  not  allowed  to  go,  put  his  hand  over  to 
pluck  a  bunch  of  leaves  that  were  not  a  foot  from  the 
boundary.  The  instant  he  did  so,  the  guard  caught  sight  of 
him,  fired,  and  killed  him. 

"  Another  instance  of  equal  skill  in  '  shooting  on  the 
wing'  will  be  noticed  in  the  case  of  the  soldier  who  only 


PRISON-HORRORS.  309 

exposed  his  arm  an  instant  in  throwing  out  some  water,  and 
was  wounded,  fortunately  not  killed,  by  the  rebel  bullet. 
Something  of  the  same  kind  was  related  in  the  course  of 
conversation,  but  is  not  in  the  evidence,  as  happening  at  the 
Libby,  when  an  officer  was  shot  while  waving  his  hand  in 
farewell  to  a  departing  comrade. 

"  But  there  were  cruelties  worse  than  these,  because  less 
the  result  of  impulse  and  recklessness,  and  because  de- 
liberately done.  There  opens  now  a  part  of  the  narrative 
which  is  as  amazing  as  it  is  unaccountable.  The  reader 
will  turn  to  the  heart-rending  scenes  of  famine  which  the 
testimony  before  the  Commission  has  exposed. 

"The  daily  ration  in  the  officers'  quarter  of  Libby 
Prison  was  a  small  loaf  of  bread,  about  the  size  of  a  man's 
fist,  made  of  Indian-meal.  Sometimes  it  was  made  from 
wheat-flour,  but  of  variable  quality.  It  weighed  a  little  over 
half  a  pound  :  with  it  was  given  a  piece  of  beef  weighing  two 
ounces.  But  it  is  not  easy  to  describe  this  ration,  it  was  so 
irregular  in  kind,  quality,  and  amount.  Its  general  charac- 
ter is  vividly  indicated  by  a  remark  made  in  conversation 
by  one  of  the  officers.  '  I  would  gladly,'  said  he  with  em- 
phatic sincerity,  — '  gladly  have  preferred  the  horse-feed  in 
my  father's  stable.' 

"  During  the  summer  and  early  part  of  the  fall,  the 
ration  seems  to  have  been  less  insufficient,  and  less  repul- 
sive, than  it  afterwards  became.  At  no  period  was  it  enough 
to  support  life,  at  least  in  health,  for  a  length  of  time  ;  but, 
however  inadequate,  it  was  not  so  to  such  a  remarkable 
degree  as  to  produce  the  evils  which  afterward  ensued. 


310      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

"  It  was  about  the  middle  of  last  autumn  that  this  process 
of  slow  starvation  became  intolerable,  injurious,  and  cruel 
to  the  extent  referred  to.  The  corn-bread  began  to  be  of 
the  roughest  and  coarsest  description.  Portions  of  the  cob 
and  husk  were  often  found  ground  in  with  the  meal.  The 
crust  was  so  thick  and  hard,  that  the  prisoners  called  it  '  iron- 
clad.' To  render  the  bread  eatable,  they  grated  it,  and 
made  mush  out  of  it ;  but  the  crust  they  could  not  grate. 
Now  and  then,  after  long  intervals,  often  of  many  weeks,  a 
little  meat  was  given  them,  perhaps  two  or  three  mouthfuls. 
At  a  later  period,  they  received  a  pint  of  black  peas,  with 
some  vinegar,  every  week :  the  peas  were  often  full  of 
worms,  or  maggots,  in  a  chrysalis  state,  which,  wheu  they 
made  soup,  floated  on  the  surface. 

"  Those  who  were  entirely  dependent  on  the  prison-fare, 
and  had  no  friends  at  the  North  to  send  them  boxes  of  food, 
began  to  suffer  the  horrible  agony  of  craving  food,  and 
feeling  themselves  day  by  day  losing  strength.  Dreams 
and  delusions  began  to  distract  their  minds.  Although 
many  were  relieved  through  the  generosity  of  their  more 
favored  fellow-prisoners,  yet  the  supply  from  this  source 
was,  of  course,  inadequate.  Capt.  Calhoun  speaks  of 
suffering  '  a  burning  sensation  on  the  inside,  with  a 
general  failure  in  strength.  I  grew  so  foolish  in  my 
mind,  that  I  used  to  blame  myself  for  not  eating  more 
wheu  at  home.  The  subject  of  food  engrossed  my  entire 
thoughts.' 

"  Capt.  Stevens,  having  received  a  box  from  home,  sat 
down  and  ate  to  excess,  and  died  a  few  hours  afterward. 


PRISON-HORRORS.  311 

4  A  man  had  a  piece  of  ham,  which  I  looked  at  for  hours, 
and  would  have  stolen  if  I  had  had  a  chance.' 

"  One  day,  by  pulling  up  a  plank  in  the  floor,  they  gained 
access  to  the  cellar,  and  found  there  an  abundance  of  pro- 
visions, —  barrels  of  the  finest  wheat-flour,  potatoes,  and 
turnips.  Of  these  they  ate  ravenously,  until  the  theft  was 
discovered. 

"But  the  most  unaccountable  and  shameful  act  of  all  was 
yet  to  come.  Shortly  after  this  general  diminution  of  rations, 
in  the  month  of  January  last,  the  boxes,  which  before  had 
been  regularly  delivered  and  in  good  order,  were  withheld. 
No  reason  was  given.  Three  hundred  arrived  every  week, 
and  were  received  by  Col.  Ould,  commissioner  of  exchange  ; 
but,  instead  of  being  distributed,  they  were  retained,  and  piled 
up  in  warehouses  near  by,  and  in  full  sight  of  the  tantalized 
and  hungry  captives.  Three  thousand  were  there  when 
Lieut.-Col.  Farnsworth  came  away.  There  was  some  show 
of  delivery,  however,  but  in  a  manner  especially  heartless. 
Five  or  six  of  the  boxes  were  given  during  the  week.  The 
eager  prisoner,  expectant  perhaps  of  a  wife's  or  mother's 
thoughtful  provision  for  him,  was  called  to  the  door,  and 
ordered  to  spread  his  blanket,  when  the  open  cans,  whether 
containing  preserved  fruits,  condensed  milk,  tobacco,  vege- 
tables, or  meats,  were  thrown  promiscuously  together,  and 
often  ruined  by  the  mingling. 

"  It  is  stated  that  for  offences,  whether  trivial  or  serious, 
the  prisoners  were  consigned  to  cells  beneath  the  prison,  the 
walls  of  which  were  damp,  green,  and  slimy.  These  apart- 
ments were  never  warmed,  and  often  so  crowded,  that 


312      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

some  were  obliged  to  stand  up  all  night.     It  was  in  these 
dungeons  that  the  hostages  were  placed." 

Well  might  the  poet's  lyre  give  forth  most  sad  and  plaintive 
notes  at  the  knowledge  of  such  barbarity.  Our  brave  boys 
died  by  scores  and  hundreds  ;  but,  alas  !  — 

"  Not  on  the  battle-field 
Did  they  their  brave  lives  yield, 

In  gallant  onslaught  'gainst  a  treacherous  foe ; 
But  slowly,  day  by  day, 
Their  warm  blood  oozed  away 

In  lingering  agonies  but  God  may  know  !  "  * 

The  horrors  of  Libby  Prison  were  duplicated  at  Anderson- 
ville.  The  following  is  the  evidence  of  Dr.  John  C.  Bates,  a 
contract-surgeon  employed  by  the  rebels  in  the  Andersonville 
Hospital,  given  on  the  trial  of  Wirz,  the  rebel  prison- 
keeper  :  — 

"  I  was  ordered  to  report  to  J.  H.  White,  the  surgeon  in 
charge  ;  but,  hearing  he  was  injured  by  a  railroad  accident,  I 
reported  to  R.  A.  Stevenson.  On  going  into  ward  fifteen 
of  the  hospital,  I  saw  a  number  of  men,  and  was  rather 
shocked.  Many  of  them  were  lying  partially  naked,  dirty, 
and  lousy  in  the  sand ;  others  were  crowded  together  in 
small  tents,  the  latter  unserviceable  at  the  best.  I  exam- 
ined all  who  were  placed  in  my  charge.  On  further  inves- 
tigation of  matters,  to  make  myself  acquainted  with  the 
mode  of  doing  business,  the  disagreeable  feeling  at  first 
made  on  me  wore  off  more  or  less,  as  I  was  becoming  more 

*  Miss  L.  L.  A.  Very. 


PHISON-HORSORS.  313 

familiar  with  the  effect  of  misery.  I  inquired  into  the  ra- 
tions, and  talked  about  them.  I  felt  disposed  to  do  my  duty, 
and  aid  all  the  sufferers  I  could.  They  frequently  asked  me 
for  a  teaspoonful  of  salt,  or  for  orders  for  a  little  sifting  that 
came  out  of  meal,  as  they  wanted  to  make  some  bread.  If 
I  found  something  better  than  siftings,  I  ordered  it.  I  spent 
considerable  of  my  time  in  writing  orders.  The  meat  ra- 
tion was  cooked  in  a  different  part  of  the  hospital.  The  men 
would  gather  round  me,  and  ask  for  a  bone.  Of  clothing  we 
had  none :  the  living  were  supplied  with  the  clothing  of 
those  who  died.  There  was  a  prolific  crop  of  vermin  and 
lice.  I  understand  the  term  '  lousy '  from  prison-experience. 
On  retiring  from  the  hospital,  I  examined  myself.  It  was 
impossible  for  a  surgeon  to  leave  there  without  bringing  some 
with  him.  As  to  medical  attendance,  I  found  the  men  desti- 
tute ;  and  of  clothing,  bedding,  and  fuel,  there  was  only  a  par- 
tial supply.  As  the  officer  of  the  day,  shortly  after  I  arrived 
there,  I  was  in  supreme  command ;  and  it  was  my  business 
to  rectify  any  thing  wrong.  I  found  the  men,  as  a  general 
thing,  destitute,  partly  naked,  sick,  and  diseased.  Their  dis- 
position only  was  to  get  something  to  eat.  They  asked  me  for 
orders  for  potatoes,  biscuit,  siftings  of  meal,  and  other  things. 
The  following  morning,  I  sat  down,  and  made  a  report  on  the 
condition  of  things  I  found  at  the  hospital.  The  report  was 
sent  up.  Being  a  novice,  for  some  of  the  things  I  said,  I 
received  a  written  reprimand,  signed  by  Dr.  Dillard  for 
Dr.  R.  A.  Stevenson.  Medicines  being  scarce,  I  gathered 
up  a  large  quantity  of  what  were  the  best  attainable,  —  anti- 
scorbutic, as  well  as  to  soothe  the  alimentary  canal,  and  to 


314      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

cure  complaints  of  gangrene.  I  think  the  reports  were  not 
heeded.  My  attention  was  called  to  a  patient  in  my  ward 
who  was  only  fifteen  or  sixteen  years  of  age.  I  took  much  in- 
terest in  him,  owing  to  his  youth.  He  would  ask  me  to  bring 
him  a  potato,  bread,  or  biscuit,  which  I  did.  I  put  them  in  my 
pocket.  He  had  the  scurvy  and  gangrene.  I  advised  him 
not  to  cook  the  potato,  but  to  eat  it  raw.  He  became  more 
and  more  emaciated,  his  sores  gangrened  ;  and  for  want  of 
food,  and  from  lice,  he  died.  I  understood  that  it  was  against 
orders  to  take  any  thing  in  to  the  prisoners  ;  and  hence  I  was 
shy  in  slipping  food  into  my  pockets.  Others  in  the  ward 
came  to  their  deaths  from  the  same  causes.  When  I  went 
there,  there  were  two  thousand  or  two  thousand  five  hundred 
sick.  I  judge  twenty  or  twenty-five  thousand  persona 
were  crowded  together.  Some  had  made  holes  and  bur- 
rows in  the  earth :  those  under  the  sheds  were  doing 
comparatively  well.  I  saw  but  little  shelter,  excepting  what 
ingenuity  had  devised.  I  found  them  suffering  with  scurvy, 
dropsy,  diarrhoea,  gangrene,  pneumonia,  and  other  diseases. 
When  prisoners  died,  they  were  laid  in  wagons,  head-fore- 
most, to  be  carried  off.  I  don't  know  how  they  were  buried. 
The  effluvia  from  the  hospital  was  very  offensive.  If  by  ac- 
cident my  hand  were  abraded,  I  would  not  go  into  the  hos- 
pital without  putting  a  plaster  over  the  affected  part.  If 
persons  whose  systems  were  reduced  by  inanition  should 
perchance  stump  a  toe,  or  scratch  the  hand,  the  next  report 
to  me  was  gangrene,  so  potent  was  the  regular  hospital  gan- 
grene. The  prisoners  were  more  thickly  confined  in  the 
stockade,  like  ants  and  bees.  The  dogs  referred  to  were  to 


PRISON-HORRORS.  315 

hunt  the  prisoners  who  escaped.  Fifty  per  cent  of  those 
who  died  might  have  been  saved.  I  feel  safe  in  say- 
ing seventy-five  might  have  been  saved,  had  the  patients  been 
properly  cared  for.  The  effect  of  the  treatment  of  the  pris- 
oners was  morally  as  well  as  physically  injurious.  There  was 
much  stealing  among  them.  All  lived  each  for  himself.  I 
suppose  this  was  superinduced  by  their  starving  condition. 
Seeing  the  dying  condition  of  some  of  them,  I  remarked  to 
my  student,  '  I  can't  resuscitate  them  ;  the  weather  is  chill- 
ing :  it  is  a  matter  of  impossibility.'  I  found  persons  lying 
dead  sometimes  among  the  living :  thinking  they  merely 
slept,  I  went  to  wake  them  up,  and  found  they  had  taken 
their  everlasting  sleep.  This  was  in  the  hospital.  I  judge 
it  was  about  the  same  in  the  stockade.  There  being  no 
dead-house,  I  erected  a  tent  for  that  purpose :  but  I  soon 
found  that  a  blanket  or  quilt  had  .been  clipped  off  of  the 
canvas ;  and,  as  the  material  could  not  be  readily  supplied 
for  repairs,  the  dead-house  had  to  be  abandoned.  I  don't 
think  any  more  dead-houses  were  erected.  The  daily  ration 
was  less  in  September,  October,  November,  and  December, 
than  it  was  from  the  1st  of  January  to  the  20th  of  March. 
The  men  had  not  over  twenty  ounces  of  food  for  twenty-four 
hours." 

Of  course,  there  were  sometimes  gleams  of  sunlight  in 
those  dreary  prison-cells ;  but  the  hours  of  brightness  were 
"  few,  and  far  between,"  while  the  night  of  horror  generally 
settled  down  upon  the  occupants,  —  a  night  of  dense,  star- 
less, rayless  obscurity,  —  a  darkness  which,  like  that  of 
Egypt,  could  be  felt. 


816      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

A  member  of  an  Illinois  veteran  battalion  *  was  cap- 
tured, with  three  hundred  and  seventy  others,  by  the  rebels, 
and  taken  to  Andersonville,  but,  after  some  months  of  im- 
prisonment, escaped.  From  his  own  account,  published  in 
the  "  Woodstock  Sentinel,"  the  following  is  taken  :  — 

"  We  were  then  turned  over  to  the  Alabama  State  troops, 
and  marched  across  the  country  to  Columbus,  some  thirty 
miles,  and  treated  more  like  brutes  than  human  beings.  If 
a  man  became  tired,  and  began  to  straggle,  or  stop  for  a 
drink  of  water,  they  would  take  out  their  revolvers,  and 
threaten  to  shoot  us  ;  and  at  night  they  camped  us  where 
we  could  get  neither  water  nor  wood.  We  arrived  at  Colum- 
bus, Oct.  10,  and,  the  next  morning,  took  the  cars  for  Ander- 
sonville. While  at  Columbus,  we  found  a  paper,  in  which 
notice  was  given  that  there  would  be  eight  thousand  Union 
soldiers  in  that  day ;  and,  when  we  (three  hundred  and 
seventy  men)  marched  into  town,  they  asked  where  the 
eight  thousand  were.  We  told  them  that  they  had  gone  the 
other  way  ;  and  that  Sherman  had  taken  them,  instead  of 
Hood. 

"  There  we  bought  a  pail  of  water,  for  which  we  paid 
fifty  cents :  and  while  some  eight  or  ten  were  standing 
about  it,  drinking,  the  officers  rode  up,  and  ordered  us  away; 
but,  as  we  did  not  move  quite  quick  enough  to  suit  them,  oue 
fired  his  pistol  among  us.  Fortunately  no  one  was  hurt. 
Oct.  11,  we  arrived  at  Andersonville.  After  taking  our 
names,  searching  us  closely,  and  taking  our  knapsacks  from 

*  Frank  E;  Hanaford,  of  Woodstock. 


PRISON-HORRORS.  317 

us  (fortunately  we  had  but  little  money  for  them,  as  we  had 
not  been  paid  for  a  long  time),  we  were  counted  into  squads 
of  a  hundred,  and  turned  into  the  bull-pen,  where  we  re- 
mained just  one  month ;  and  good  Lord  deliver  me  from 
ever  getting  in  such  a  place  again  !  I  have  heard  and 
read  of  the  horrors  of  a  prison-life  ;  but  I  never  could  be- 
lieve from  another  one-half  of  what  I  have  seen.  I  saw- 
many  there  who  seemed  lost  to  all  reason  ;  and  I  have  seen 
men  lay  there  in  the  sand,  and  die,  and  others  begging  to  be 
shot  to  end  their  misery,  with  no  one  to  help  them  in  the 
least.  Oh  !  I  saw  far  more  suffering  there  than  I  ever  saw 
on  the  battle-field.  From  the  last  of  March,  1864,  to  Sep- 
tember, there  were  fifteen  thousand  men  died  at  Ander- 
sonville,  as  I  had  it  from  those  who  were  there,  and  kept 
account  of  the  dead  that  were  carried  out  each  day. 

"  There  was  a  gang  there  called  the  Raiders,  who,  when 
they  saw  a  prisoner  come  in  with  any  thing  they  wanted, 
would  kill  and  rob  him.  Finally  the  rebel  officers  refused 
to  serve  any  more  rations  until  there  was  a  stop  put  to  it. 
Then  the  prisoners  took  a  lot  of  them,  organized  a  court- 
martial,  tried  them,  aad  sentenced  five  to  be  hung.  A  gal- 
lows was  erected  in  the  centre  of  the  prison,  and  they  were 
launched  into  eternity.  This  put  a  stop  to  it  in  a  measure." 

The  narrative  of  Lieut.  Hanaford's  escape  is  of  such  in- 
terest, that  the  closing  portion  of  it  is  here  given.  He,  with 
four  others,  started  from  a  place  in  Georgia,  about  twelve 
miles  from  Thomasville,  where  the  cars  which  contained 
prisoners  were  detained  in  the  woods,  because  the  locomo- 
tive gave  out.  He  says,  — 


318      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

"We  threw  our  blankets  over  our  shoulders,  and  walked 
boldly  out  through  the  guard-lines,  though  trembling  with  fear. 
We  ate  our  supper  just  before  we  started,  and  took  with  us 
one  quart  of  meal,  one  quart  of  beans,  an  old  tin  pail,  and  a 
gourd,  for  five  of  us.  This  was  on  the  night  of  the  llth 
of  December.  We  found  no  place  where  we  dare  make  a 
fire  to  cook  any  thing,  until  the  third  night  after  Mre  started  ; 
consequently  we  fasted  until  then.  We  happened  to  have 
one  prairie-match  with  us,  with  which  we  struck  a  fire. 
There  is  seldom  a  match  to  be  found  there.  On  the  fourth 
night,  we  were  compelled  to  go  in  search  of  fire  and  food. 
As  good  luck  would  have  it,  we  came  to  a  house  where  they 
had  had  a  fire  outside  during  the  day  ;  and  there  we  found 
an  iron  kettle  without  a  bail.  We  hunted  around,  and 
found  a  rope,  and  put  through  the  ears  ;  then  scraped  up  some 
coals  from  their  fire,  and  put  them  in  the  kettle,  which  two 
of  us  took  on  a  pole  ;  and  in  that  we  did  our  cooking  by  day, 
and  carried  our  fire  by  night,  never  losing  it  but  twice  on 
our  journey.  Then  the  way  we  got  it  once,  we  went  to  a 
man's  house  in  the  night,  and  told  them  we  had  a  team 
broke  down,  and  wanted  to  get  a  light  to  see  to  mend  it  up : 
so  the  good  woman  gave  us  a  torch-light ;  and  then,  when 
we  had  searched  the  potato-hole  and  chicken-roost,  we  were 
all  right.  Twice  we  were  hunted  by  blood-hounds  ;  but  a 
kind  Providence  delivered  us  from  them.  While  in  prison, 
we  procured  a  map  from  which  we  drew  a  sketch  of  the 
southern  part  of  Georgia ;  and  this,  with  the  stars,  was  our 
only  guide.  We  used  all  the  caution  possible  ;  never  spoke 
to  a  person  on  our  way,  except  when  we  called  for  the  light ; 


PRISON-HORRORS.  .    319 

never  allowed  ourselves  to  speak  above  a  whisper,  or  step 
on  the  ties,  when  walking  on  the  railroad. 

"  After  travelling  about  two  hundred  miles  by  land,  we 
came  to  St.  Mary's  River,  where  we  found  two  small  boats, 
which  we  confiscated  ;  broke  open  a  blacksmith-shop  near 
by,  and  found  the  oars,  and  some  other  things  of  use,  which 
we  confiscated  also :  but  on  the  river,  as  well  as  the  land, 
we  were  obliged  to  travel  by  night,  and  hide  in  the  woods 
and  swamps  by  day,  and  rob  potato-holes,  hen-roosts,  bee- 
hives, &c.,  for  our  subsistence,  and  drag  our  boats  into  the 
woods  and  swamps  with  us  every  morning.  After  we  took 
to  the  river,  we  were  rather  short  of  provisions  ;  and  what 
we  got  we  had  to  go  back  some  four  or  six  miles  in  the 
country  for  (in  the  night  at  that) ,  as  most  of  the  plantations 
on  the  river  were  deserted  as  far  up  as  our  gunboats 
went. 

"  While  on  the  river,  we  suffered  a  great  deal  from  cold, 
as  we  were  poorly  clothed  ;  and  some  nights  we  were  obliged 
to  lay  by  on  that  account.  On  the  night  of  Jan.  31,  we 
went  ashore,  on  account  of  cold,  in  what  proved  to  be  the 
town  of  St.  Mary,  twelve  miles  from  Fort  Clinch  ;  found  an 
unoccupied  house,  procured  fuel,  went  in,  closed  the  doors, 
and  made  a  fire  in  the  fireplace.  After  getting  well  warmed, 
went  out  to  get  something  to  eat ;  but  there  was  nothing  to 
be  found.  The  whole  town  was  unoccupied ;  we  were  the 
only  inhabitants :  so  we  went  back  to  our  fires,  and  staid 
there  until  morning,  and  concluded  we  would  lay  by  that 
day,  and  go  back  far  enough  to  get  something  to  eat,  as  we 
had  been  living  on  half-rations  some  two  or  three  days.  We 


320      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

started  out,  and  had  not  gone  far,  when  I  chanced  to  find  a 
spy-glass.  Oh,  what  a  treasure  it  proved  to  us !  It  was 
truly  a  God-send  to  me.  We  knew  we  had  travelled  a  long 
distance,  and  were  footsore  and  weary,  our  shoes  nearly 
worn  out,  but  supposed  we  had  still  many  miles  to  travel. 
I  raised  the  glass  to  my  eye,  looked  southward,  and  saw  a 
flag  waving.  The  glass  was  not  very  clear,  and  I  could  not 
tell  whether  it  was  our  flag  at  first,  or  not.  I  looked  again  : 
truly  it  was  our  flag.  Words  cannot  describe  the  joy  I  felt 
when  I  beheld  once  more  that  glorious  old  banner  floating 
in  the  breeze  from  Fort  Clinch.  We  then  took  our  boats, 
and  started  ;  and  I  doubt  if  ever  men  worked  with  a  better 
will  than  we,  or  if  ever  a  boat  cut  through  the  water  faster 
than  ours  by  a  single  pair  of  oars.  In  less  than  two  hours, 
we  were  within  our  lines,  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  having 
travelled  about  two  hundred  and  eighty  miles  in  twenty-three 
days." 

A  Detroit  paper  thus  speaks  of  one  who  was  starved  to 
death  by  the  rebels  :  — 

"  There  died  in  this  city  on  Tuesday,  of  starvation,  a  man 
named  Edgar  B.  Trumbull.  We  relate  his  story  as  told 
just  before  his  death.  He  belonged  to  the  first  cavalry,  was 
taken  prisoner  at  the  same  time  as  the  lamented  Brodhead, 
and  was  sent,  along  with  five  thousand  others,  to  Belle  Isle, 
N.C.,  where  they  were  confined  in  a  space  about  as  large 
as  two  ordinary  city-lots.  All  the  food  allowed  them  was 
five  ounces  each  of  musty  bread  per  day,  to  be  washed  down 
with  an  equal  proportion  of  miserable  water.  Under  this 
kind  of  treatment,  his  one  hundred  and  eighty  pounds  of 


PRISON-HORRORS.  321 

flesh  wasted  away  to  seventy-five  pounds  of  skin  and  bones, 
when  he  was  exchanged.  By  taking  large  potions  of  whiskey 
and  quinine,  he  succeeded  in  keeping  body  and  soul  to- 
gether until  he  reached  this  city,  where  he  died  in  a  few 
hours." 

Since  the  close  of  the  war,  successful  efforts  have  been 
made  to  bury  properly  the  victims  of  the  rebels  in  Ander- 
sonville.  The  following,  from  the  "  Springfield  Republi- 
can," concerning  prison-horrors,  is  appropriate  in  this  chap- 
ter. We  cannot  wonder  that  our  brave  men  died  there. 

"  The  sad  duty  of  recovering  and  interring  the  remains 
of  the  poor  fellows  who  died  or  were  killed  at  the  Ander- 
sonville  prison-pen  by  rebel  starvation  and  barbarity  has 
been  completed.  Capt.  James  M.  Moore,  to  whom  the 
.work  was  intrusted,  has  returned  to  "Washington,  and  re- 
ports that  he  has  buried,  and  designated  the  graves  by  head- 
boards, —  on  which  were  painted  the  name,  company,  and 
regiment  of  the  deceased,  —  about  thirteen  thousand  Union 
soldiers.  The  dead  were  usually  buried  in  trenches,  each 
trench  containing  about  one  hundred.  The  cemetery,  which 
comprises  in  all  about  fifty  acres,  is  situated  about  three 
hundred  yards  from  the  prison  stockade.  A  neat  white  fence 
has  been  erected  around  it,  and  an  abundance  of  trees  have 
been  planted  to  shade  the  graves  of  those  who  would 
have  been  more  than  thankful  for  a  bit  of  shade  when  con- 
fined in  the  prison -pen.  By  means  of  a  stake  at  the 
head  of  each  grave,  as  made  by  the  rebels,  which  bore  a 
number  corresponding  with  a  similar  numbered  name  upon 
the  Andersonville  hospital -records,  the  bodies  of  all  but 


322       FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

about  five  hundred  of  our  prisoners  were  recognized,  and 
proper  headstones  placed  above  their  remains  in  the  new 
cemetery. 

"  Capt.  Mbore  found  the  prison-pen  in  a  perfect  state  of 
preservation,  just  as  it  was  left  by  the  rebels  ;  and  even  the 
dead-line  could  be  plainly  seen.  Near  the  enclosure  also 
were  the  dog-kennels,  where  the  blood-hounds  were  kept 
that  were  used  to  hunt  up  those  prisoners  who  had  made 
their  escape.  The  inhabitants  in  the  vicinity  call  the  place 
the  most  unhealthy  in  all  Georgia  ;  and  indeed  there  is  but 
one  house  in  Andersonville  proper.  One  of  Capt.  Moore's 
party  died  of  the  fever  before  they  could  complete  their  work 
and  get  away.  Andersonville  at  present  is  guarded  by  a 
small  force  of  Federal  soldiers  ;  and  a  superintendent  is  left 
in  care  of  the  buildings  and  grounds,  who  will  see  that 
every  thing  that  pertains  to  the  place  is  carefully  preserved. 
Miss  Clara  Barton  returns  with  Capt.  Moore  ;  and  the 
whole  party  deserve  great  credit  for  the  way  in  which  they 
have  performed  their  delicate  and  arduous  duties." 

Miss  Barton,  the  annalist  of  our  Union  martyrs,  said  at 
that  time,  — 

"  Two  hundred  and  seventy-six  bodies  were  recovered  yes- 
terday from  the  ground  known  as  outside  of  the  '  dead-line,' 
or,  as  it  was  generally  known  to  the  public,  outside  of  a 
prohibited  line,  beyond  which  they  had  accidentally  strayed 
for  the  purpose  of  procuring  a  little  fresh  water,  or  the  roots 
of  shrubs  or  trees,  to  allay  the  pangs  of  thirst  and  hunger, 
and  for  so  doing  were  barbarously  murdered." 

Much  more  might  be  adduced  to  show  that  the  treatment 


PRISON-HORRORS.  323 

of  prisoners  and  of  Union  men  by  the  rebels  was  such  as  to 
call  down  upon  the  authors  and  perpetrators  of  such  cruel 
wrongs  the  obloquy  of  the  world,  and  that  vengeance  of 
Heaven  which  aways  follows  the  violated  laws  of  justice 
and  humanity. 

The  Sanitary  Commission's  report  concerning  the  suffer- 
ings and  privations  of  United-States  officers  and  soldiers, 
and  a  volume  entitled  "Atrocities  of  the  Rebellion,"  by  a 
Southern  Unionist,  who  barely  escaped  with  his  life,  con- 
tain proof  enough  to  blacken  the  pages  of  Southern  history, 
so  that  no  partial  historian  can  ever  bleach  or  whitewash  it. 
To  use  the  language  of  the  author  of  the  latter  volume,  in 
his  preface,  "  It  may  be  said  that  the  atrocities  recorded  in 
this  book  are  isolated  and  extreme  cases,  and  do  not  present 
a  fair  view  of  the  matter.  Would  that  this  were  true  !  But 
so  far  is  this  from  being  true,  that  the  picture  is  altogether 
too  faint.  The  atrocities  related  are  only  specimens  ;  mere 
selections  from  an  immense  mass  of  hideous  deeds  of  bar- 
barism. Were  the  whole  to  be  recorded,  the  mind  would 
tire  of  and  recoil  from  the  recital ;  were  the  whole  to  be 
recorded,  volumes  would  be  required.  Barbarism  has 
characterized  the  Rebellion  from  the  beginning  to  the  present 
hour  in  every  state  and  county  and  town  and  village  and 
hamlet.  It  originated  in  barbarism  ;  has  been  prosecuted 
with  barbarism ;  and  may  its  overthrow  be  the  overthrow 
of  barbarism,  and  give  place  to  a  higher  civilization  and  a 
purer  Christianity !  " 

The  loyal  heart  beats  sadly  over  the  record  of  these  in- 
famous deeds,  and  remembers  with  pain  the  horrors  of 


324      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

guerilla  warfare,  the  atrocious  attack  on  sleeping  and  de- 
fenceless men  in  Kansas,  and  all  the  many  acts  of  diabolical 
barbarity  ;  and  mourns,  as  well  it  may, 

"  Man's  inhumanity  to  man." 

Alas !  the  chariot-wheels  of  moral  progress  seem  to  have 
been  greatly  retarded  in  this  age  of  unparalleled  intellectual 
advancement ;  the  inhabitants  of  a  nominally  Christian  land 
thus  "  crucifying  the  Son  of  God  afresh,"  and  putting  him 
to  an  open  shame.  Can  the  broken-hearted  ones,  who  sigh 
for  the  absent  whom  angels  released  from  the  prison-hor- 
rors of  the  South,  lift  toward  heaven,  with  tearful  eyes, 
but  forgiving  hearts,  a  petition  in  the  spirit  of  Him  who 
prayed  on  cross-crowned  Calvary,  "  Father,  forgive  them  : 
they  know  not  what  they  do"?  It  may  be  so,  but  only 
when  they  hear  rumbling  along  the  heavens,  and  then  burst- 
ing in  thunder-tones  upon  their  ears,  the  assurance,  "  Ven- 
geance is  mine,  I  will  repay,  saith  the  Lord  ;  "  or  when,  in 
the  stillness  of  that  hour  of  spirit-communion  with  God, 
when  the  soul  has  truly  "  fellowship  with  the  Father  and 
with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ,"  they  hear  the  whisper  of  Im- 
manuel,  "  Forgive,  and  ye  shall  be  forgiven." 

As  we  peruse  these  records  of  battle  and  prison  horrors, 
how  blessed  the  thought  that  the  promised  day  shall  come, 
when  "  the  sword  shall  be  beaten  into  the  plough-share,  and 
the  spear  into  the  pruning-hook,  and  the  nations  shall  learn 
war  no  more  "  ! 

"  Fly  swiftly  round,  ye  wheels  of  time, 
And  bring  the  welcome  day !  " 


CHRISTIAN  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY  AND  NAVY.     325 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

CHRISTIAN   LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY   AND   NAVY. 

"  Am  I  a  soldier  of  the  cross, 
A  follower  of  the  Lamb  ? 
And  shall  I  fear  to  own  his  cause, 
Or  blush  to  speak  his  name  ? " 

'HE  profession  of  arms  is  not  necessarily  one  antago- 
nistic to  the  possession  of  a  Christ-like  spirit,  or  the 
practice  of  Christian  virtues.  England  had  her 
"  Havelock  and  his  saints  "  to  prove  this  ;  and  America  has 
had  her  scores  and  hundreds  who  have  been  valiant  soldiers 
in  the  Union  army  and  navy,  and,  at  the  same  time,  faith- 
ful servants  of  Christ  Jesus.  Above  the  radiant  banner  of 
their  beloved  land,  they  have  seen  the  sacred  splendors  of  the 
cross  of  Christ.  No  temptation  of  the  camp,  no  privation 
or  suffering  in  the  hospital,  no  scene  of  reckless  carnage 
on  the  battle-field  or  loathsome  horror  in  the  prison-cell, 
has  been  sufficient  to  cause  their  trust  in  God  to  waver,  or 
the  light  of  their  faith  in  Christ  and  immortality  to  flicker  in 
the  gloom  of  doubt,  or  die  out  in  the  darkness  of  despair. 
The  promise,  "  My  grace  is  sufficient,"  has  been  graciously 
fulfilled  to  the  soldiers  of  Christ  and  Liberty;  and  the 
weary,  feeble,  wounded,  suffering,  dying  soldier  has  been 


326       FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

able  to  say,  "  I  can  do  all  things  through  Christ  which 
strengthened  me." 

In  the  present  chapter,  it  is  designed  to  present  some 
examples  of  faith  and  Christian  effort  as  evinced  by  men  in 
the  Union  army  and  navy.  The  first  is  from  the  interesting 
pages  of  Prof.  Hackett's  memorial  volume :  — 

"  Among  the  men  at  the  New-England  Rooms,  in  New- 
York  (says  a  visitor  to  that  place),  is  one  from  Michigan. 
He  was  shot  in  the  head  at  Malvern  Hill,  and  the  optic 
nerve  was  carried  away  ;  so  that  he  has  become  stone-blind. 
He  is  now  well,  in  his  general  health  ;  but  will  never  see 
again.  He  is  one  of  the  happiest  men  in  the  land.  He 
is  a  person  of  cheerful,  but  open  and  decided  piety.  '  Happy 
as  the  day  is  long '  has  its  literal  and  expressive  meaning  as 
applied  to  him.  It  is  delightful  to  listen  to  him  as  he 
speaks  of  what  he  did  for  the  old  flag  while  he  could  see, 
and  still  more  to  observe  how  he  strives  to  be  useful  still, 
since  his  injury,  in  such  ways  as  he  can.  He  feels  his  way 
from  couch  to  couch ;  drops,  as  he  moves  along,  fitting 
words  of  sympathy  and  counsel ;  cheers  up  the  despondent ; 
and  makes  the  heart  glad.  "  Those  connected  with  the  rooms 
assure  me  (says  this  visitor)  that  the  tone  of  his  happy  speech 
and  pious  resignation  impress  all  who  have  an  opportunity 
to  see  and  hear  him." 

The  lamented  Admiral  Foote  was  a  man  of  the  Have- 
lock  stamp.  Prof.  Hackett  says  of  him,  "Hardly  any  one 
has  appeared  on  the  stage  of  action  during  the  war  more 
distinguished  for  the  highest  qualities  of  the  patriot,  hero, 
and  Christian,  than  Admiral  Foote." 


CHRISTIAN  LIFE  IN  THE  ASMY  AND  NAVY.     327 

Another  anecdote  in  point,  from  the  "Memorials,"  is 
entitled  "Last  Interview  of  the  Heroes,"  and  is  as  fol- 
lows :  — 

"While  at  Gettyshnrg  (says  a  visitor  to  that  place),  I 
learned  the  following  incident  from  the  lips  of  Prof.  Stoever  : 
'  At  the  close  of  the  bloody  battles  of  the  2d  and  3d  of  July, 
while  thousands  of  the  soldiers  were  lying  wounded  side  by 
side,  and  before  even  the  officers  could  seek  out  and  speak 
to  their  bleeding  and  dying  friends,  the  command  came  to 
pursue  the  flying  Confederates.  Major-Gen.  Howard,  at  the 
head  of  the  eleventh  army  corps  (who  has  been  called  the 
Havelock  of  the  American  army),  hastened  to  the  bedside 
of  Capt.  GrifFeth  of  his  staff,  between  whom  and  the  general 
a  strong  personal  attachment  existed,  to  take  his  last  fare- 
well. He  closed  the  door  ;  and,  after  a  brief  interchange  of 
sympathies,  the  general  took  his  New  Testament,  and  read 
to  him  the  fourteenth  chapter  of  John.  The  consolatory 
words  have  been  often  heard  at  the  bed  of  the  dying,  giving 
strength  to  the  soul  for  the  last  conflict.  "  Let  not  your  heart 
be  troubled  :  ye  believe  in  God  ;  believe  also  in  me.  In  my 
Father's  house  are  many  mansions :  if  it  were  not  so,  I 
•would  have  told  you.  I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you  :  and, 
if  I  go  and  prepare  a  place  for  you,  I  will  come  again, 
and  receive  you  unto  myself;  that  where  I  am,  there  ye 
may  be  also." 

"  '  The  general  then  knelt  in  prayer,  and  commended  his 
wounded  friend  to  the  compassionate  God  and  Father  of  all 
those  who  trust  in  him,  and,  rising  from  his  knees,  clasped 
him  in  one  long,  fond,  weeping  embrace.  Thus  parted  the 


328      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

heroes.  One  went  to  pursue  the  rebels  against  his  Govern- 
ment :  the  other  died  in  a  few  days  in  perfect  peace,  cor- 
dially acquiescing  in  God's  will,  and  firmly  relying  on  the 
merits  of  his  Saviour.' " 

The  following  anecdote  is  from  the  same  volume,  all 
whose  pages  demonstrate  the  value  of  the  lives  and  ser- 
vices of  those  who  have  been  soldiers  of  Liberty  in  our 
land:  — 

"  When  Col.  Herman  Canfield  was  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Pittsburg  Landing,  knowing  that  his  wound  would  be 
fatal,  he  expressed  a  wish  to  his  young  brother-in-law  that 
he  might  be  taken  to  his  home  and  family.  But,  as  the  bat- 
tle raged,  the  enemy  pressed  upon  them  ;  so  that  they  were 
in  momentary  fear  of  being  made  prisoners.  The  surgeon, 
chaplain,  and  others  who  were  looking  after  the  wounded, 
were  taken  and  borne  away.  Strange  as  it  may  appear,  the 
two  relatives  were  left  unmolested.  Alone,  and  in  such  a 
condition,  the  moment  was  one  of  anxiety  and  of  trial  to 
them  both.  His  brother-in-law  was  not  able,  without  aid, 
to  convey  him  to  a  place  of  safety  ;  and  he  expressed  a  fear 
that  he  should  not  be  able  to  comply  with  his  request.  To 
this  apprehension  the  colonel  calmly  replied,  '  Xever  mind, 
Charley  :  Jesus  will  take  me  home.' 

"Oh  !  what  child-like  trust,  what  Christian  faith,  is  there 
expressed  !  Having  lived  near  to  God,  and  long  trusted  in 
his  sure  promises,  he  had  no  doubts  now.  He  knew  that 
the  Lord  of  hosts  was  present  on  the  battle-field  as  well  as 
in  the  peaceful  home.  As  he  lay  there,  with  his  life-blood 
ebbing  from  a  ghastly  wound  in  his  lungs,  he  testified  of 


CHRISTIAN  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY  AND  NAVY.     329 

the  goodness  of  God,  and  showed  with  what  fearlessness  a 
Christian  may  yield  his  soul  to  Him  who  gave  it. 

"  At  last  assistance  arrived,  and  the  wounded  man  was 
borne  on  a  stretcher  through  low,  marshy  denies,  and  over 
rough,  pathless  woodland,  toward  the  Tennessee.  At  night, 
they  encamped  upon  its  bank.  It  was  the  last  night  he 
passed  upon  earth  :  a  dark  and  fearful  one  it  was  to  his 
companions.  A  storm  raged  about  them  :  the  very  elements 
seemed  pouring  forth  their  sad  requiems  for  the  dying  and 
the  dead.  During  the  vivid  flashes  of  lightning,  they  had 
glimpses  of  the  agonized  features  of  their  loved  commander. 
And  many  were  their  anxious  inquiries ;  but  he  assured 
them,  that,  though  his  physical  sufferings  were  great,  his 
soul  was  at  peace  with  God,  and  he  knew  he  soon  would  be  at 
rest.  Doubtless  he  caught  glimpses  of  that  brighter  world, 
where  darkness  and  death  cannot  enter,  because  God  is  the 
light  and  life  thereof.  What  that  brave  soldier  and  Chris- 
tian suffered  during  that  night  of  agony,  none  but  God  can 
know.  He  did  not  murmur  at  his  fate,  and  thought  not  his 
life  too  great  a  sacrifice  for  the  cause  in  which  he  fell. 

"  The  following  day  he  Avas  removed  to  a  hospital-ship, 
where  his  wounds  were  carefully  dressed  ;  but  he  gradually 
grew  weaker,  until  evening,  when,  leaving  tender  messages 
for  his  loved  wife  and  children,  he  calmly  committed  his 
soul  to  God,  and  Jesus  took  him  home." 

The  following  digest  of  letters  contributed  by  H.  C. 
Gannett  to  the  "United-Service  Magazine"  for  October, 
1863,  shows  the  state  of  religious  feeling  and  effort  in  the 
navy:  — 


330       FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON, 

UNITED-STATES  STEAMER  "  SOUTH-CAROLINA." 
We  hold  service  on  board  Sundays ;  and  I  am  happy 
to  state  that  many  of  our  ship's  company  appear  inclined  to 
serve  God.  I  have  also  set  apart  for  the  service  of  God  a 
portion  of  Tuesday  and  Friday  evenings,  and  hope  we  shall 
be  rewarded  with  the  grace  and  love  of  God.  Remember 
this  ship's  company  in  your  prayers.  Trusting  in  the  Al- 
mighty Father,  who  alone  rules  the  universe,  and  spreads 

out  the  seas,  I  remain  yours, 

J.  W.  MAGUXE. 

UNITED-STATES  STEAMER  "SONOMA." 

Some  of  our  men  seem  neither  to  fear  God  nor  man ; 
and  do  not  like  us  much,  because  we  read  the  Testameut 
and  Psalms  on  deck.  Our  profession,  and  rebuke  of  swear- 
ing, cause  talk  about  the  ship  ;  but  I  care  not.  I  feel  more 
determined  than  ever  to  serve  my  God  and  King.  There 
are  several  religious  men  on  the  vessel  besides  myself. 

WILLIAM  T.  WALCOTT. 

UNITED-STATES  STEAMER  "  GEXESEE." 

In  trying  to  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  our  blessed  Re- 
deemer, we  get  along  with  the  crew  nicely.  The  books  and 
tracts  which  you  gave  us  have  been  distributed  freely  among 
the  crew,  all  of  whom  seem  to  read  with  interest  the  printed 
truths  they  contain.  Our  prayer  to  God  is  that  those  who 
read  may  be  benefited  thereby.  We  go  on  deck  with  our 
Bibles  ;  and,  to  all  who  would  like  to  listen  to  the  reading  of 
it,  we  give  an  earnest  invitation  to  join  us.  Some  are 
pleased  to  listen,  while  others  laugh  and  scoff.  We  are  not 


CHRISTIAN  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY  AND  NAVY.     331 

cast  down,  neither  are  \ve  discouraged :  for  the  Lord  he  is 
our  God  ;  in  him  do  we  trust. 

G.  W.  MARSTON. 

Simple  and  unpretending  as  these  records  are,  they 
show  an  amount  of  religious  feeling  which  it  is  pleasant 
to  know  existed  among  our  brave  sailor-boys.  Nor, 
as  we  have  seen,  were  their  officers  deficient  in  genuine 
piety.  Another  anecdote  of  one  already  mentioned  may 
illustrate  this:  — 

"  It  has  been  mentioned,  as  characteristic  of  Commodore 
Foote,  that  he  prayed  as  if  every  thing  depended  on  God, 
and  fought  as  if  every  thing  depended  on  man.  On  a  cer- 
tain occasion,  says  the  correspondent  of  a  St.  Louis  paper, 
the  commodore  was  present  at  a  meeting  on  the  Sabbath, 
shortly  after  one  of  his  signal  victories,  when  the  minister 
of  the  church  failed  to  appear,  and  the  audience  was  kept 
waiting  for  the  opening  of  the  service.  It  seemed  as  if  the 
opportunity  for  instruction  and  worship  would  be  lost.  The 
elder  of  the  church  was  unwilling  to  officiate.  Under  these 
circumstances,  Commodore  Foote,  on  the  impulse  of  the 
moment,  went  up  to  the  pulpit,  read  a  chapter  in  the  Bible, 
prayed,  and  delivered  a  short  discourse  from  the  text,  '  Let 
not  your  heart  be  troubled :  ye  believe  in  God ;  believe 
also  in  .me.'  It  was  unexpected  to  the  people  ;  nor  was  their 
wonder  less  when  they  saw  his  self-possession,  his  readiness, 
and  the  pertinence  of  his  remarks.  He  seemed  to  be  as 
much  at  home  in  the  pulpit  as  he  was  on  the  deck  of  the 
4  Cincinnati '  during  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Henry.  The 


332      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

audience  were  much  affected  at  hearing  the  voice  from  which 
so  lately  rang  out  the  Avord  of  command 

'  In  worst  extreme,  and  on  the  perilous  edge 
Of  battle  when  it  raged,' 

lifted  up  in  humble  acknowledgment  to  Heaven  for  the  recent 
victory,  and  in  earnest  supplication  for  protection  and  suc- 
cess in  days  to  come.  Some  of  his  own  soldiers  were  among 
the  hearers.  They  were  expecting  to  be  called  to  go  into 
battle  again  at  any  moment.  They  could  have  heard  noth- 
ing from  any  one  better  fitted  to  tranquillize  their  minds,  and 
nerve  them  for  the  conflict. 

"  On  coming  down  from  the  pulpit,  the  minister,  who  had 
arrived  just  after  the  prayer,  approached,  and  tendered  his 
thanks  ;  but  the  commodore  rebuked  him  for  his  tardiness, 
and  also  for  his  neglect  to  take  the  pulpit  immediately  on  his 
arrival." 

Prof.  Hackett  also  says,  "Commodore  Foote,  the  pray- 
ing commodore,  as  he  has  been  truthfully  called,  acted  often 
as  his  own  chaplain.  The  following  sketch  of  the  services 
on  his  flatboat,  on  a  certain  Sunday,  was  given  in  a  letter 
from  the  Mississippi  fleet.  It  affords  another  proof  of  the 
anxiety  of  this  noble  man  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  those 
who  served  under  him,  and  of  his  conviction  that  he  would 
have  better  soldiers  in  them,  if  he  could  lead  them  to  honor 
God,  and  trust  in  him. 

"  '  The  sailors,  clad  in  their  clean,  plain  blue  uniforms, 
congregated  on  the  forward  port-side.  We  look  around  us, 
and  a  scene  presents  itself  very  different  from  the  ordinary 
employment  of  warlike  men.  Here,  in  line  on  the  star- 


CHRISTIAN  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY  AND  NAVY.     333 

board,  we  see  the  marines  drawn  up  in  line,  as  at  ease,  with 
their  muskets  and  fixed  bayonets  resting  on  their  left  shoul- 
der. In  the  foreground  is  the  capstan,  covered  with  the 
"  Union  Jack,"  its  blue  field  and  white  stars  adorning  the 
patriotic  pulpit.  Around  it  stand  Flag-officer  Foote,  Lieut. 
Phelps,  Col.  Buford,  and  other  officers.  As  the  flag-officer 
approaches,  he  is  saluted  by  all  hands,  who  stand  with  un- 
covered heads.  The  gay,  glittering,  showy  uniforms  of  the 
officers  are  in  striking  contrast  with  the  plain  garb  of  the 
seamen  and  marines.  The  flag-officer,  in  a  few  brief  and 
eloquent  remarks,  reminds  us  that  this  is  the  Sabbath,  — 
the  day  set  apart  for  rest,  and  the  worship  of  the  Most  High. 
It  is  the  first  religious  service,  we  are  told,  held  on  this  flag- 
ship, because,  on  the  last  Sabbath,  we  could  not  perform  it, 
owing  to  an  engagement  with  the  enemy,  which  could  not  be 
avoided. 

'"In  the  course  of  his  address,  he  urged  us  to  bear  in 
mind  our  duty,  to  be  prepared  to  meet  our  Maker  ;  and  hoped 
that  all,  officers  and  men,  would  refrain  from  intemperance, 
profanity,  every  immoral  practice,  and  be  ready  to  give  their 
account  to  God,  let  the  summons  come  when  and  as  it  might. 
He  also  offered  up  a  prayer  from  the  Episcopal  service.  The 
services  were  impressive  and  interesting.  While  Flag-officer 
Foote  was  praying,  "Our  Father  who  art  in  heaven,"  the 
report,  and  zip,  zip,  zip,  of  shot  or  shell  from  the  enemy's 
guns,  could  be  distinctly  heard  by  all  present.  The  flag- 
officer  was  calm  and  unmoved,  however :  he  went  forward 
eloquently  and  feelingly  with  the  service,  until  all  was  con- 
cluded in  due  form.'" 


334       FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

In  answer  to  the  question,  "  Can  the  soldier  be  a  Chris- 
tian?" read  the  following  from  the  "  Soldier's  Friend :  "  — 

"At  a  prayer-meeting  of  soldiers  in  the  tent  of  the 
Christian  Commission,  in  September  last,  a  wounded  soldier 
arose,  and,  commencing  with  the  above  proposition,  said, 
'  I  find  that  a  great  many  of  my  comrades  do  not  believe 
that  a  soldier  can  be  a  Christian  ;  but  I  know  that  they  are 
mistaken,  for  I  have  tried  it,  and  have  found  that  it  has  power 
to  give  peace  to  the  soul,  and  lift  it  above  the  fear  of  death. 
I  do  not  believe  that  God  saves  his  children  from  the  deadly 
bullet  by  any  miracle  ;  and  yet  I  have  stood  calm  and  peace- 
ful while  bullets  rattled  thick  as  snow-flakes  about  my  head. 
And  in  that  hour  of  danger,  when  death  was  reaping  a  rich 
harvest,  I  have  looked  up,  and  my  heart  has  said,  "  Father, 
not  my  will,  but  thine,  be  done.  I  stand  here  in  defence  of 
my  country  and  the  dear  flag.  I  desire  to  do  my  duty  to  it 
and  to  thee  ;  and,  in  the  consciousness  of  thy  friendship  and 
thy  presence,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil."  Yes,  comrades,  a  man 
can  be  a  Christian  and  a  soldier  ;  and  the  Christian  soldier  is 
the  happiest  and  serenest  in  every  time  of  trouble  and  every 
hour  of  danger.' " 

One  peculiar  feature  in  connection  with  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion  deserves  special  notice  ;  viz.,  the  revival  spirit 
which  was  manifested  among  the  soldiers  from  time  to  time. 
Faithful  men  of  God  were  among  the  chaplains,  who  did 
not  fail  to  speak  to  men  of  duty  and  destiny  ;  of  God's  great 
goodness,  arid  man's  obligations.  Private  soldiers  as  well 
as  officers  were  among  the  praying  souls  of  many  churches  ; 


CHRISTIAN  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY  AND  NAVY.     335 

and,  when  they  went  to  camp,  they  carried  their  religion  with 
them.  Some  of  them  labored  in  season  and  out  of  season 
for  the  moral  and  religious  benefit  of  those  around  them. 
And  the  ever-waiting  spirit  came  in  answer  to  prayerr — 
prayer  from  the  camp  and  hospital,  and  prayer  from  pious 
friends  at  home  too  ;  and  many  a  heart  which  had  long 
resisted  the  influences  of  divine  grace  amid  old  scenes  and 
familiar  haunts,  there,  away  from  home  and  the  dear  ones 
of  the  family  circle,  —  the  heart  that  longed  for  the  commu- 
nion of  loved  friends  on  earth  so  far  away, —  learned  to 
confide  in  and  hold  sweet  communion  with  its  Father  in 
heaven. 


336      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

LAST   HOURS    OF    SOME    OF   FREEDOM'S    CHAMPIONS. 

"  Kest,  soldier,  rest ;  thy  task  is  done ; 
The  battle  calls  no  more  for  thee : 
Thou  hast  a  nobler  victory  won 
Than  Spartan  at  Thermopylae ! 
Rest  thou  in  peace :  the  flag  still  waves,— 

The  dear  flag  of  thy  love  and  pride : 
Its  stars  watch  o'er  our  myriad  graves, 
And  guard  our  heroes  who  have  died." 

DR.  ARTHUR  E.  JENKS. 

'HE  closing  hours  of  a  human  life  are  always  full  of 
interest.  Though  they  can  scarcely  be  regarded  as 
a  criterion  of  character,  and  hopes  concerning  the 
fitness  of  the  soul  for  companionship  with  angels,  based 
only  upon  the  final  acts  or  words  of  the  parting  spirit,  may 
fofc  to  the  last  degree  fallacious,  yet,  as  every  act  and  word 
of  each  immortal  is  the  result  of  influence,  and  exerts  in- 
fluence, being  a  part  of  the  divine  chain  which  links  all 
worlds  and  all  time  in  one  grand  whole,  all  have  a  measure 
of  interest  for  the  thoughtful  mind  ;  while  those  which  pre- 
cede or  follow  momentous  changes  must  have  a  peculiar 
charm.  It  may  be  pleasing,  and  perhaps  also  instructive, 
to  pause  over  the  death-hours  of  some  of  Freedom's  noble 
champions,  and  learn  how  Christian  heroes  sometimes  die, 


LAST  HOURS  OF  FREEDOM'S  CHAMPIONS.        337 

cheered  by  an  ever-brightening  hope,  and  sustained  by  a 
trust  that  never  faltered. 

To  speak  of  all  who  passed  on  to  eternal  life  thus  cheered 
and  supported  would  be  a  task  of  too  great  magnitude  for 
these  pages.  The  flowers  must  be  gathered  here  and  there 
for  the  bouquet  thus  to  be  placed  on  martyr-graves. 

And  first  may  be  remembered  the  earliest  victims  of  the 
Rebellion,  —  "our  Massachusetts  dead  in  Baltimore." 

"  It  is  said  that  one  of  them,  Ladd,  struck  by  the  fatal 
ball,  struggled,  stood  erect,  with  his  face  towards  the  blue 
sky  above  him,  his  dying  eye  having  caught  for  the  last 
time  a  glimpse  of  the  flag,  and,  extending  his  hands  in 
joyful  greeting,  cried  out  with  unfaltering  voice,  '  All  hail 
to  the  stars  and  stripes  ! '  and  expired.  In  his  agony  of 
glory,  he  spoke  for  a  continent. 

"  From  that  moment,  the  pavement  on  which  he  fell,  the 
city  where  he  so  gloriously  died,  the  States  with  their  homes 
and  hearts,  were  consecrated  to  Liberty  and  Union.  And 
now  the  acclaim  sounds  forth  from  millions  of  hearts,  from 
coast  to  inland,  from  mountain-top  to  peaceful  vales  and 
outstretching  prairies.  Age  and  infancy,  manhood  and  wo- 
manhood, the  hopeful  nations,  the  good  and  brave,  chant  that 
anthem,  and  catch  up  the  inspiring  strain,  'All  hail  to  the 
stars  and  stripes ' !  "  * 

Among  the  earliest  martyrs  was  Col.  Ellsworth,  who 
commanded  a  regiment  of  Zouaves.  The  following,  from 
the  "  Bugle  Blast,"  is  an  account  of  his  last  moments.  The 
regiment  of  Zouaves  formed  a  part  of  the  thirteen  thousand 

*  H.  P.  Shed,  Esq. 


338     FIELD,  GUNBOAT',  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

troops  sent  across  the  Potomac  to  Alexandria  on  the  24th 
of  May,  1861.  They  reached  Alexandria  ;  and  "  after  detail- 
ing Company  E,  Capt.  Leveridge,  to  destroy  the  railroad 
track  leading  to  Richmond,  Col.  Ellsworth  directed  the 
adjutant  to  form  the  regiment,  and  then  with  his  aide,  Lieut. 
"Winser,  and  a  file  of  men,  proceeded,  in  double-quick  time, 
up  the  street  for  the  telegraph-office,  to  cut  the  wires. 

"  Having  proceeded  about  three  blocks,  Col.  Ellsworth's 
attention  was  attracted  by  a  large  secession  flag  flying  from 
the  roof  of  the  Marshall  House,  kept  by  J.  W.  Jackson. 
He  entered  the  hotel,  and  inquired  of  a  man  there,  '  Who 
put  that  flag  up  ? '  The  man  answered,  '  I  don't  know  :  I'm 
a  boarder  here.' 

"  Col.  Ellsworth,  Lieut.  Winser,  the  chaplain  of  the  regi- 
ment, a  volunteer  aide,  and  the  four  privates,  went  up  to 
the  roof;  and  Col.  Ellsworth  cut  down  the  obnoxious  flag. 
As  the  party  were  returning  down  the  stairs,  Francis  E. 
Brownell,  a  private  of  Company  A,  being  foremost,  they  met 
the  man  in  the  hall  who  had  said  he  was  a  boarder,  but  who 
proved  to  be  the  landlord,  Jackson,  having  a  double-barrel 
gun,  which  he  levelled  at  Brownell.  Brown  ell  struck  up  the 
gun  with  his  musket ;  and  Jackson,  at  the  same  instant 
pulling  both  triggers  of  the  gun,  lodged  the  contents  of  both 
barrels  in  the  body  of  Col.  Ellsworth,  who  was  descending 
next  to  Brownell. 

"  Col.  Ellsworth,  who  was  at  that  time  rolling  up  the 
flag,  received  the  fatal  charge  between  the  second  and  third 
ribs,  and  immediately  fell  forward  upon  the  hall  floor,  and 
exclaiming,  '  My  God  ! '  instantly  expired. 


LAST  HOURS  OF  FREEDOMS  CHAMPIONS.       339 

"  Brownell  instantly  levelled  his  musket  at  Jackson's  head, 
and  fired.  The  ball  struck  on  the  bridge  of  the  nose,  and, 
crashing  through  the  skull,  killed  him  on  the  spot.  As  he 
fell  forward,  Brownell  followed  the  shot  by  a  bayonet-thrust 
through  the  body,  pinning  him  to  the  floor."  Thus  was 
Ellsworth's  death  speedily  avenged.  Thus  fell  an  officer, 
in  the  peaceful  discharge  of  his  duty,  by  the  hand  of  a 
ruthless  murderer.  How  die  the  privates  f  Let  the  following 
thrilling  incident,  which  occurred  at  City-Point  Hospital, 
answer :  — 

"  A  chaplain  of  the  Christian  Commission,  while  moving 
through  the  long  line  of  sufferers,  administering  the  conso- 
lation of  the  gospel,  approached  the  bedside  of  a  gallant 
fellow  who  was  severely  wounded.  His  earthly  march  was 
nearly  ended :  but,  when  the  chaplain  asked  him  if  he  was 
prepared  to  die,  he  motioned  for  pencil  and  paper,  and  with 
a  tremulous  hand  wrote,  '  I  am  prepared  to  go  to  heaven  ; 
my  trust  in  Jesus  Christ  is  perfect ; '  and,  immediately  un- 
der, these  words  of  assured  victory  over  the  grave,  '  Come, 
rally  round  the  flag,  boys  ! '  The  chaplain  took  the  paper, 
and,  standing  up,  read  it  with  a  loud  voice.  Just  as  he 
concluded,  a  soldier,  who  had  recently  lost  a  hand,  sprang 
from  his  bed,  and,  waving  the  mutilated  stump  in  the  air, 
burst  forth  with  the  glorious  song  his  dying  comrade  had 
suggested.  The  effect  was  electric.  A  thousand  voices 
took  up  the  chorus,  and  the  place  of  suffering  was  made  to 
fairly  rock  with  thunder  of  melody.  As  that  vast  soldier- 
choir  ceased  singing,  the  chaplain  turned  to  look  upon  the  dy- 
ing brave*  He  was  just  in  time  to  catch  the  last  faint  smile 


340      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

that  flickered  across  the  sunburnt  face,  as  the  soul  was 
wafted  on  the  strains,  of  that  Union-music  to  the  throne  of 
Liberty." 

The  following  incidents  were  published  in  a  Christian- 
Commission  pamphlet :  — 

"  On  the  damp  ground  at  Falmouth  lay  a  poor  sufferer, 
whose  body  gave  him  no  rest.  Said  he  to  the  Rev.  A.  S. 
Twombly,  '  Please  talk  to  me  about  those  things  (meaning 
God  and  heaven)  some  more.'  — '  I  continued,'  says  Mr. 
Twombly,  '  the  conversation  I  had  begun  ;  when,  turning 
about,  I  found  him  indeed  tranquilly  asleep.' " 

"A  dying  boy  from  Venango  County,  Penn.,  said  to  a  del- 
egate, as  he  took  his  hand  and  placed  it  on  his  breast,  '  Stay 
with  me,  oh !  stay  witli  me,  and  talk  of  Jesus  until  I  die.' 
He  fell  asleep  in  that  same  Jesus  at  sundown." 

"  A  young  man  from  Vermont,  suffering  excruciating 
pain  from  the  loss  of  his  leg,  said  to  the  same  delegate, 
'  My  sufferings  are  beyond  language  to  describe  ;  but  the 
sweetness  of  the  precious  Jesus  you  have  brought  me  ex- 
ceeds them.'  With  these  words  he  closed  his  eyes  on  his 
earthly  trials,  to  look  upon  the  face  of  his  Saviour." 

Among  our  fallen  heroes  was  Col.  Baker,  who  fell  at 
Ball's  Bluff.  He  was  a  senator  from  California,  and  laid 
aside  the  toga  for  a  sword,  under  the  sense  of  duty.  Thus 
speaks  the  "  Cincinnati  Commercial "  concerning  him  and 
his  last  hours  :  — 

"  The  writer  met  Col.  Baker,  in  June  last,  on  a  steamer 
going  from  Baltimore  to  Fortress  Monroe.  He  said  he  did 
not  expect  to  survive  the  war ;  that,  in  his  judgment,  he 


LAST  HOURS  OF  FREEDOMS  CHAMPIONS.        341 

never  should  see  the  shores  of  the  Pacific  again.  This  was 
hardly  so  much  a  presentiment  on  his  part  as  a  calculation. 
He  said  the  troops  were  green,  and  it  would  be  necessary 
for  the  officers  to  expose  themselves.  He  had  seen  ser- 
vice, and  would  feel  it  a  duty  to  lead  his  regiment.  The 
enemy  had  plenty  of  sharpshooters,  and  he  presumed 
they  would  pick  him  off.  He  said  he  believed  it  would 
be  his  fate  to  die  at  the  head  of  his  regiment ;  and  so  he 
died. 

"  It  may  illustrate  the  temper  and  character  of  the  man 
to  mention,  that  after  saying  with  as  perfect  calmness  as  he 
could  have  named  the  most  trivial  circumstance,  that  he  be- 
lieved it  would  be  his  fate  to  fall  in  battle,  and  that  he 
should  never  see  his  home  on  the  Pacific  again,  he  retired 
from  the  guards,  where  he  had  been  engaged  in  conversa- 
tion, to  the  cabin,  and,  seating  himself  at  the  piano,  played, 
with  grace  and  skill  remarkable  for  a  gentleman  amateur  on 
that  instrument,  several  touching  airs,  among  them  the  fa- 
vorite of  the  English  soldiers  before  Sevastopol,  —  sweet 
and  mournful  '  Annie  Laurie.'  " 

Thus  "  Carleton  "  narrates  the  manner  of  his  death  :  — 
"  The  force  behind  the  hill  suddenly  came  over  it,  yelling 
and  whooping  like  savages.  Col.  Baker  was  in  front  of  his 
men,  urging  them  to  resist  the  impending  shock.  He  was 
calm  and  collected,  standing  with  his  face  to  the  foe,  his 
left  hand  in  his  bosom.  A  man  sprang  from  the  rebel 
ranks,  ran  up  behind  him,  and,  with  a  self-cocking  revolver, 
fired  six  bullets  into  him.  Two  soldiers  in  front  of  him 
fired  at  the  same  time.  One  bullet  tore  open  his  side ; 


342      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

another  passed  through  his  skull.  "Without  a  murmur, 
a  groan,  or  a  sigh,  he  fell  dead. 

"  But,  as  he  fell,  Capt.  Beirel,  of  the  California  regiment, 
leaped  from  the  ranks,  and  blew  out  the  fellow's  brains  with 
his  pistol. 

"  There  was  a  fierce  and  terrible  fight.  The  Californi- 
ans  rushed  forward  to  save  the  body  of  their  beloved  com- 
mander. They  fell  upon  the  enemy  with  the  fury  of  mad- 
men. They  thought  not  of  life  or  death.  They  had  no 
fear.  Each  man  was  a  host  in  himself.  There  was  a  close 
hand-to-hand  contest,  bayonet-thrusts,  desperate  struggles, 
trials  of  strength.  Men  fell,  but  rose  again,  bleeding,  yet 
still  fighting,  driving  home  the  bayonet,  pushing  back  the 
foe,  clearing  a  space  around  the  body  of  the  fallen  hero,  and 
bearing  it  from  the  field."  * 

As  one  thinks  of  the  noble  souls  that  "  counted  not  their 
lives  dear  unto  them,"  and  passed  away  gloriously  to  their  re- 
ward, he  wishes  for  the  privilege  of  covering  acres  of  paper 
with  the  record.  Only  a  meagre  report  can,  however,  here 
be  given.  Many  stars  in  our  brilliant  constellation  of  heroes 
must  be  barely  named  ;  and  many  more,  stars,  too,  "  of  the 
first  magnitude,"  cannot  be  named  at  all. 

There  was  Gen.  Lyon,  who  fell  at  the  head  of  the  First 
Iowa  Regiment,  which  had  lost  its  colonel,  while  making 
a  gallant  charge  upon  the  enemy. 

The  soldier-astronomer,  Gen.  Mitchell,  —  a  devotee  of 
science,  whose  writings  are  both  popular  and  useful,  — 

*  Following  the  Flag. 


LAST  HOURS  OF  FREEDOMS  CHAMPION'S.        343 

"  His  mighty  life  was  burned  away 

By  Carolina's  fiery  sun  : 
The  pestilence  that  walks  by  day 

Smote  him  before  his  course  seemed  run. 

The  constellations  of  the  sky  — 
The  Pleiades,  the  Southern  Cross  — 

Looked  sadly  down  to  see  him  die, 
To  see  a  nation  weep  his  loss." 

The  martyr-chaplain,  Arthur  Buckminster  Fuller  (a 
brother  of  one  of  America's  representative  women,  Marga- 
ret Fuller,  Countess  d'Ossoli),  who  fell  at  Fredericksburg, 
Dec.  11,  1862.  The  loyal  heart  will  never  forget  his  noble 
patriotic  words  as  he  rushed  forward  to  cross  the  river 
under  fire  of  the  enemy :  "  I  must  do  something  for  my 
country." 

The  "  Knightly  Soldier,"  how  brave  and  noble !  His 
last  words,  except  words  of  cheering  to  his  men,  were,  "  / 
do  trust  Jesus  fully,  ivJtolly  ;  "  and  so  the  name  of  Major 
Henry  W.  Camp  is  embalmed  forever. 

Young  Sneider,  sou  of  a  veteran  missionary,  who  was 
shot  near  Petersburg.  His  farewell  words  will  sound 
through  the  ages  :  "  Tell  my  brother  to  stand  by  the /lag,  and 
cling  to  the  cross  of  Christ" 

Young  Trask,  the  late  editor  of  the  "  Kansas  State  Jour- 
nal," who  fell  in  the  rebel  raid  at  Lawrence.  His  answer 
will  not  soon  be  forgotten.  When  asked,  "  What  will  you 
do  if  the  guerillas  invade  your  State?  "  bis  reply  was  brave 
and  characteristic,  "  I'll  die  for  Kansas  ! " 


344      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

"  0  fateful  prophecy  !    0  fresh  young  lips, 

That  uttered  it  half  smiling  !  did  no  drear 

Forecast  of  evil,  like  a  dark  eclipse, 
Blanch  their  bright  bloom  the  while,  as  with  a  mortal  fear  ? 

'  I'll  die  for  Kansas ! '    Ay  ;  and  he  has  died,  — 
Died  in  the  freshness  of  his  young  renown : 
Oh  !  reverently,  my  country,  yet  with  pride, 
Give  him  his  well-earned  due,  — a  martyr's  name  and  crown."  * 

The  following  newspaper  record  is  of  unusual  interest, 
because  it  describes  the  patriotism  of  John  Goldsmith 
Hanson,  a  great  grand-nephew  of  Oliver  Goldsmith,  the 
celebrated  poet :  — 

"  When  his  grandmother  and  aunt  urged  on  him  the  dan- 
gers of  a  soldier's  life,  he  repeatedly  said,  '  God  can  defend 
me  on  the  battle-field  as  well  as  in  any  other  place.  I 
can  be  a  Christian  soldier.'  His  spirit  was  a  cheerful,  un- 
complaining one.  He  bore  the  hardships  of  a  soldier's  life 
without  a  murmur,  jesting  over  his  discomforts.  He  sur- 
vived a  dreadful  attack  of  typhoid-fever,  which  confined  him 
four  months  to  the  hospital.  In  the  midst  of  camp-life,  he 
wrote,  '  I  read  my  Bible  every  day.'  His  first  battle-field 
was  at  Culpepper,  Aug.  9  ;  and  his  last  letters  describe  the 
part  his  regiment  took  in  the  engagement.  The  concluding 
words  of  the  letter  are,  '  The  Union  forever ! '  He  was  not 
heard  from  again  till  his  name  appeared  among  the  list  of  the 
killed.  A  letter  from  a  friend  describes  his  death  as  in- 

*  Mrs.  Caroline  A.  Mason. 


LAST"  HOURS  OF  FREEDOMS  CHAMPIONS.        345 

stantaneous.  He  was  shot  through  the  head  ;  and  the  same 
volley  killed  his  friend,  J.  R.  Mitchell." 

One  brave  fellow,  named  Broad,  from  Concord,  Mass.,  a 
member  of  the  Massachusetts  Fifty-seventh,  must  be  men- 
tioned, though  more  briefly  than  his  heroism  deserves.  See- 
ing an  officer  lying  in  front,  who  had  nearly  lost  his  leg  by  a 
solid  shot,  and  being  assured,  that,  if  he  was  brought  in  and 
cared  for,  his  life  might  be  saved,  this  hero  said,  "  I  have 
neither  wife  nor  child  to  suffer  if  I  am  killed  ;  and,  if  I  can 
save  that  man's  life,  I  will  do  it."  He  went  therefore,  and 
brought  him  in  safely,  but  was  himself  wounded,  so  that  he 
died  shortly  after.* 

Brave  Ulric  Dahlgren,  whose  beautiful  portrait  adorns 
this  volume,  should  receive  in  these  pages  more  than  a  pass- 
ing notice ;  and  from  the  columns  of  the  "  American 
Volunteer "  the  following  article  is  taken,  to  vindicate  the 
character  of  one  unjustly  aspersed,  and  to  assist  in  preserv- 
ing unimpaired  the  memory  of  one  of  the  most  gallant  and 
honored  of  the  young  heroes  of  the  late  Rebellion.  The 
article  is  from  the  pen  of  Major  Sidney  Herbert,  aide-de- 
camp, who  was  associated  with  Col.  Dahlgren  in  the  army. 
"  I  have  yet  to  learn  that  the  written  programme  of  Col.  Dahlgren, 
which  designed  the  burning  of  Kichmond,  the  ravaging  of  its  women, 
and  the  murder  of  President  Davis  and  all  his  cabinet,  has  ever  been 
disavowed  or  denounced  by  the  Washington  ( 1 )  Government,  or  by  the 
newspapers  that  support  it."  —  GEORGE  AUGUSTA  SALA. 

"The  above  paragraph  forms  a  portion  of  this  gentle- 

*  A  letter  in  the  "  Boston  Journal,"  from  Capt.  H.  H.  Buttrick,  narrated 
the  above  heroic  deed. 


346      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

man's  introduction  to  a  scurrilous  publication  entitled  '  Belle 
Boyd  in  Camp  and  Prison.'  The  character  of  the  author 
of  the  book,  — Belle  Boyd  herself,  —  and  the  vile  calumnies 
which  its  pages  contain,  would  deter  us  from  any  notice  of 
this  infamous  slander  of  one  of  the  noblest  and  bravest 
heroes  of  this  or  any  age  of  civilized  warfare,  were  it  not 
for  the  high  literary  reputation  of  its  English  author.  He 
has  once  visited  our  country,  and,  while  here,  enjoyed,  as  we 
believe,  to  its  fullest  extent,  the  hospitality  of  our  leading 
literary  characters.  And  yet,  in  the  hour  of  our  deepest 
distress  and  greatest  peril,  he  lends  his  name  and  literary 
talents  to  as  vile  a  slander  (which  he  repeats  in  his  extended 
introduction  to  the  book)  as  ever  was  aimed  at  a  chivalrous 
and  humane,  but  defeated  and  slaughtered  foe.  But,  thank 
God  !  the  foul  slander  lives  only  as  a  lasting  reproach  upon 
those  who  welcomed  its  birth,  nourished  its  infancy,  and 
then  gave  it  wings  to  fly.  And  we  now  call  upon  all  true 
Americans,  as  they  have  regard  for  the  honor  and  fair  fame 
of  their  heroic  and  lamented  dead,  to  forever  set  their  faces 
against  this  vile  slanderer  of  our  country,  her  cause,  and 
her  fallen  heroes.  Let  him  write,  henceforth,  if  he  must 
write  for  American  readers,  for  the  men  and  women  whose 
cause  he  so  readily  espoused  and  so  earnestly  defended. 

"  Of  Col.  Dahlgren's  last  gallant  exploit,  which  proved 
so  fatally  unsuccessful,  and  in  which  he  lost  his  own  life, 
his  father,  Rear-Admiral  J.  A.  Dahlgren,  then  in  com- 
mand of  our  naval  force  at  Charleston,  thus  tenderly  but 
severely  and  justly  speaks,  in  a  letter  which  bears  date  July 
24,  1864.  He  says,  '  I  have  patiently  and  sorrowfully 


LAST  HOURS  OF  FREEDOM'S  CHAMPIONS.        347 

awaited  the  hour  when  I  should  be  able  to  vindicate  fully 
the  memory  of  my  gallant  son,  Col.  Ulric  Dahlgren,  and 
lay  bare  to  the  world  the  atrocious  imposture  of  those,  who, 
not  content  with  abusing  and  defacing  the  remains  of  the 
noble  boy,  have  knowingly  and  persistently  endeavored  to 
blemish  his  spotless  name  by  a  forged  lie. 

"  '  That  hour  has  at  last  come.  I  have  before  me  a  pho- 
tolitho  copy  of  the  document  which  the  inhuman  traitors  at 
Eichmond  pretend  was  found  upon  the  body  of  my  son 
after  he  had  been  basely  assassinated  by  their  chivalry  at 
midnight,  and  who,  on  the  pretext  that  this  paper  disclosed 
an  intent  to  take  the  lives  of  the  arch-rebel  and  his  counsel- 
lors, and  to  destroy  Richmond,  have  not  hesitated  to  commit 
and  commend  the  most  shocking  barbarities  on  the  remains  of 
the  young  patriot,  and  to  exult  like  dastards  over  his  sad  fate. 

"  '  I  can  now  affirm  that  the  document  is  a  forgery,  —  a 
barefaced,  atrocious  forgery,  —  so  palpable,  that  the  wicked- 
ness of  the  act  is  only  equalled  by  the  recklessness  with 
which  it  has  been  perpetrated  and  adhered  to  ;  for  the  mis- 
erable caitiifs  did  not  confine  themselves  to  the  general  terms 
of  a  mere  allegation,  but  published  the  paper  in  all  the  pre- 
cision of  a  photographic  faosimile,  as  if  not  to  leave  a 
doubt  or  cavil.  I  felt  from  the  first  just  as  if  I  knew  the 
fact  that  my  son  never  wrote  that  paper, — that  it  was  a 
forgery  ;  but  I  refrained  from  giving  utterance  to  that  faith 
until  I  had  seen  a  sample  of  the  infamous  counterfeit,  and, 
having  seen  it,  could  say,  as  I  say  now,  that  a  more  fiendish 
lie  never  was  invented. 


348       FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

"  '  It  is  well  known  that  the  cruel  usage  practised  on  the 
Union  soldiers  who  were  imprisoned  at  Richmond  had  be- 
come a  theme  at  the  North,  and  that  their  release  from  slow 
and  horrid  death  was  the  object  of  the  expedition.  My  son 
had  just  returned  from  a  visit  to  me  off  Charleston  when 
he  learned  of  the  project.  Every  one  was  aware  that  he  was 
in  no  condition  to  take  the  field  just  then  :  for  he  had  lost  a 
leg  by  a  wound  received  in  a  charge  through  Hagerstown, 
pending  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  ;  and  the  consequent  illness 
nearly  cost  him  his  life.  The  vigor  of  his  frame  had 
carried  him  through  the  crisis ;  but  the  wound  was  not 
perfectly  healed :  he  was  still  weak,  and  could  only  move 
on  crutches. 

"  '  No  sooner  was  he  apprised  of  what  was  contemplated 
than  he  sought  to  join  the  enterprise,  in  remembrance  of 
comrades  pining  in  loathsome  dungeons,  —  of  men  with 
whom  he  had  ridden  side  by  side  amid  the  deadly  conflict ; 
and,  a  strong  conviction  of  their  sufferings  animating  every 
pulse  of  his  gallant  heart,  he  felt  that  duty  called  him  there, 
and  the  reluctant  consent  of  the  authorities  was  at  last 
yielded  to  his  earnest  entreaties. 

"  '  It  is  not  my  purpose  here  to  narrate  the  whole  course 
of  this  noble  enterprise ;  that  will  be  the  duty  of  a  future 
day  :  but  no  one  had  seen  Col.  Dahlgren  in  his  full  vigor  sit 
his  charger  more  gracefully,  or  better  endure  the  incessant 
and  multiplied  hardships  of  that  ride,  by  day  and  by  night, 
in  shine  and  storm, 

"  '  The  failure  of  his  column  to  connect  with  that  of 
Gen.  Kilpatrick  led  to  the  failure  of  the  expedition,  and  the 


LAST  HOURS  OF  FREEDOM'S  CHAMPIONS.       349 
death  of  as  noble  a  soldier  as  ever  gave  life  to  a  great 


"  *  The  gallant  youth  fell,  pierced  by  many  balls,  at  the 
head  of  his  men  ;  and,  even  while  his  brave  spirit  lingered 
about  its  scattered  tenement,  the  chivalry  began  to  strip  him 
of  his  clothing.  Whether  the  detestable  purpose  was  accom- 
plished before  he  was  dead,  I  know  not ;  nor  whether  the 
infamous  wretches  paused  to  make  sure  that  life  was  extinct 
before  they  severed  a  ring  given  by  a  departed  sister, 
and  deeply  prized  by  the  heart  that  is  now  as  still  as  her 
own. 

'"It  was  not  until  daylight  disclosed  the  utter  helplessness 
of  the  survivors  that  the  victors  took  heart  of  grace,  and 
consummated  their  brave  deed  by  marching  the  wearied  and 
famished  troopers  along  the  road,  regardless  of  the  fact  that 
this  led  them  by  the  body  of  their  young  chief,  just  as  it  lay, 
stripped,  and  covered  with  mud,  but  yet  honored  by  the  sad 
tokens  which  it  exhibited  of  love  and  loyalty  to  the  cause 
of  his  country.  The  absent  limb  told  of  recent  battle-fields  ; 
and  the  breathless  body  gave  assurance  that  the  last  sacri- 
fice had  been  made.  The  young  life,  rich  in  promise,  had 
been  laid  down ;  and  thus  was  redeemed  the  solemn  oath  of 
fealty  to  the  Union. 

"  '  No  respect  for  the  well-known  gallantry  of  their  victim, 
no  feeling  for  his  extreme  youth,  entered  into  the  thoughts 
of  these  atrocious  ruffians ;  and  only  when  sated  with  the 
mournful  sight  were  the  relics  of  the  noble  dead  permitted 
such  sepulture  as  a  hasty  grave  could  afford. 


350      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

"  '  Be  it  remembered,  that,  to  this  time,  nothing  was  known 
of  the  forged  document.  But  presently  it  came  to  the  upper 
chivalry  of  Richmond  that  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  expe- 
dition had  fallen.  Frenzied  with  terror  at  the  possible  con- 
sequences of  the  success  of  the  undertaking,  —  for  they  had 
every  reason  to  dread  that  the  vengeance  of  the  released 
prisoners  would  respect  no  person,  —  they  sought  a  pretext 
for  the  meditated  villany  on  the  body  of  Col.  Dahlgren,  in 
a  forgery,  which,  they  thought,  would  extenuate  all  disregard 
of  every  dictate  of  manhood  and  humanity. 

"  '  So  they  forged  the  lie,  and  gave  it  currency  in  all  the 
minuteness  of  a  seeming  fac-simile;  while  the  original  coun- 
terfeit was  so  recklessly  executed,  that  the  shameful  deceit 
could  not  fail  to  be  apparent  to  any  one  having  the  least 
knowledge  of  Col.  Dahlgren's  handwriting. 

'"So  the  remains  of  the  heroic  dead  were  torn  from 
the  grave,  conveyed  to  Richmond,  and  there  exposed  to 
the  taunts  and  gaze  of  a  mob ;  then  hurried  away,  in  the 
obscurity  of  the  night,  to  some  nameless  spot,  whence  it 
was  intended  they  should  never  be  recovered.  There  was 
an  ingenuity  in  the  contrived  villany,  from  which  the  mind 
recoils  with  horror. 

"  '  He  had  not  completed  the  first  year  of  his  manhood 
when  he  was  so  basely  assassinated  ;  yet,  by  his  bravery  and 
devotion  on  many  a  battle-field,  he  had  won  the  high  but 
well-deserved  rank  of  colonel  of  cavalry.  He  was  tall, 
well-built,  and  graceful :  his  frame  gave  every  promise  of 


LAST  HOURS  OF  FREEDOM'S  CHAMPIONS.       351 

future  strength,  but,  as  yet,  lacked  the  development  of  the 
matured  man,  and  was  divested  of  all  spare  flesh  by  a  life 
of  constant  activity  jn  the  saddle. 

'"To  the  casual  observer, he  appeared  like  a  very  young 
and  a  very  diffident  man,  gentle  and  unobtrusive,  a  mod- 
erate talker,  and  always  of  pleasant  mood.  But  beneath 
lay  a  character  of  the  firmest  mould,  a  constancy  of  purpose 
never  to  be  diverted  from  its  object,  courage  that  was  never 
disturbed  by  any  danger,  impulses  of  the  purest  nature 
habitually  in  exercise,  producing  a  course  of  life  unblem- 
ished bv  the  least  meanness,  —  a  good  son,  a  warm  friend, 
dutiful  alike  to  God  and  man.  I  can  now  look  back  over 
the  whole  of  his  young  life,  and  declare,  that  in  no  instance 
did  he  ever  fail  in  the  most  respectful  obedience  to  my  least 
wish.  A  more  perfect  and  lovely  character  I  cannot  con- 
ceive. 

"'His  courage  was  not  of  that  rampant  character  so 
troublesome  to  friend  as  well  as  to  foe,  but  came  forth  in- 
stantly at  the  first  sign  of  danger.  To  these  qualities  he 
added  a  deep  sense  of  religious  obligation,  having  been 
carefully  trained  by  a  departed  mother  to  the  Church  and 
the  Sunday  School.  But  in  this,  as  in  many  other  respects, 
he  was  not  demonstrative.  When  apparently  at  the  verge 
of  death  from  a  wound,  and  reminded  of  the  danger,  he 
smiled,  and  said  that  he  had  never  gone  into  battle  with- 
out asking  forgiveness  of  his  sins,  and  commending  his  soul 
to  his  Maker.  And  so  passed  away  this  bright  young  life, 


352      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

so  radiant  in  promise.  Nor  is  it  only  a  father's  love  and 
affection  that  prompts  such  praise,  as  the  many  who  knew 
him  will  confirm. 

"  '  The  last  letter  that  he  ever  wrote  was  to  myself.  It  was 
from  camp,  just  before  putting  foot  in  stirrup,  and  about  to 
set  out  on  the  last  of  a  brilliant  and  eventful  career.  He 
directed  that  it  should  only  be  given  to  me  in  the  event  of 
his  not  returning.  He  speaks  of  the  enterprise  as  "glori- 
ous, and  that  he  would  be  ashamed  to  show  his  face  again  if 
he  had  failed  to  go  in  it."  He  expressed  himself  as  fully  sen- 
sible of  the  danger,  and  concludes  thus :  "If  we  do  not 
return,  there  is  no  better  place  to  give  up  the  ghost." ' 

"  Such  was  the  brave  and  generous  spirit  whose  light  has 
been  so  early  quenched  forever.  That  of  itself  might  have 
sufficed  to  sate  the  vengeance  even  of  traitors.  The  shock- 
ing cruelty  that  has  been  exhibited  to  his  inanimate  body, 
and  the  perpetration  of  a  forgery  to  justify  it,  will,  in  the 
end,  recoil  on  the  infamous  ruffians. 

"To  the  gallant  young  soldier  it  has  been  as  nothing.  He 
had  passed  away  to  his  final  account,  leaving  behind  him  a 
name  far  beyond  the  reach  of  the  chivalry.  There  are 
those  left,  however,  —  his  distinguished  father,  two  lovely 
and  bereaved  sisters,  and  a  patriotic  and  heroic  brother, 
who,  with  the  father,  has  done  good  service  for  the  country, 
—  whose  pride  and  pleasure  it  will  be  to  vindicate  his  fair 
fame.  He  will  ever  be  remembered  as  a  young  patriot  of 
spotless  life  and  purest  purpose ;  honest,  true,  and  gentle, 
dutiful  to  every  obligation,  unselfish  and  generous  to  a  fault ; 


LAST  HOURS  OF  FREEDOMS  CHAMPIONS.       353 

an  undaunted  soldier  of  the  Union,  who  never  struck  a  blow 
at  an  unarmed  enemy,  but  carefully  and  kindly  respected 
the  claims  of  defenceless  women  and  children ;  an  accom- 
plished gentleman,  a  sincere  Christian,  a  faithful  com- 
rade, who,  not  recovered  from  the  almost  fatal  illness  conse- 
quent on  losing  a  limb  in  battle,  went  forth  to  brave  every 
hardship  in  the  hope  of  aiding  in  the  release  of  our  captive 
soldiers  from  the  dungeons  of  a  merciless  enemy,  who,  for 
this,  treated  his  dead  body  with  savage  ferocity,  and  hesi- 
tated not  to  forge  his  name. 

"  Peace  to  his  ashes,  where  they  now  finally  rest,  amid 
the  scenes  of  his  boyhood,  and  by  the  side  of  his  sainted 
mother  !  The  laurels  on  the  young  and  fair  brow  of  Ulric 
Dahlgren  will  never  fade  while  there  are  true  men  and  wo- 
men in  the  land  to  keep  them  green.  The  poet  has  truly 

said,  — 

'  Ulric  Dahlgren,  in  the  story 

Of  thy  country's  grief  and  wrong, 
Thine  shall  stand  a  name  of  glory, 
Bright  in  history  and  song.' 

"On  Tuesday,  Oct.  31,  1865,  his  recently  recovered 
body  was  brought  to  Washington,  where  appropriate  ser- 
vices were  held,  preparatory  to  its  removal  to  Philadelphia 
for  final  interment.  The  occasion  was  one  of  unusual  in- 
terest :  but  a  severe  storm  prevented  the  anticipated  military 
display  ;  and  the  body,  having  lain  in  state  at  the  City  Hall, 
where  it  was  viewed  by  thousands  of  sorrowful  hearts,  was 
escorted  by  the  nearest  route  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Four  and  a  Half  Street.  The  military  escort  consisted  of 

23 


354      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

the  Eighth  Regiment  of  Hancock's  Veteran  Volunteers, 
detachments  of  the  Seventh,  Tenth,  Fourteenth,  and 
Eighteenth  Regiments  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  and  the 
Hundred  and  Ninety-fifth  aud  Two  Hundred  and  Four- 
teenth Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  all  under  the  command 
of  Brig.  -  Gen.  Gile,  jof  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps. 
The  pall-bearers  occupied  the  head  of  the  procession,  and 
consisted  of  the  following  officers,  —  Brevet  -  Brig.  -  Gen. 
D.  P.  Dewitt,  Tenth  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  ;  Brevet-Brig.- 
Gen.  D.  B.  McKibben,  Two  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
Pennsylvania  ;  Brig.-Gen.  S.  D.  Oliphant,  Fourteenth  Vet- 
eran Reserve  Corps ;  Col.  J.  W.  Fisher,  One  Hundred  and 
Ninety-fifth  Pennsylvania  ;  Brevet-Col.  R.  E.  Johnson,  Ninth 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps  ;  Col.  Charles  F.  Johnson,  Eighteenth 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps  ;  Col.  F.  E.  Pierce,  Eighth  United- 
States  Veteran  Volunteers;  BrevBt-Col.  John  B.  Collis, 
Seventh  Veteran  Reserve  Corps.  The  coffin  was  placed 
before  the  pulpit,  which  was  draped,  as  were  also  the  galle- 
ries, with  large  American  flags.  The  church  was  darkened, 
and  lighted  with  gas ;  and,  as  every  available  seat  or  stand- 
ing-place was  occupied,  the  effect  was  most  solemn  and 
impressive.  The  President,  and  members  of  the  cabinet, 
distinguished  army  and  navy  officers,  clerks,  citizens,  and 
ladies,  notwithstanding  the  inclemency  of  the  weather,  came 
together  on  this  mournful  occasion  to  pay  their  tribute  of 
respect  to  one  of  the  noblest  young  heroes  that  ever  drew  a 
sword  in  a  righteous  cause. 

"  At  the  conclusion  of  the  introductory  services,  which 
were  of  a  deeply  impressive  character,  the  Rev.   Henry 


LAST  HOURS  OF  FREEDOMS  CHAMPIONS.       355 

Ward  Beecher  delivered  a  funeral  oration,  full  of  eloquent 
and  tender  words  of  eulogy,  and  marked  by  his  usual  vigor 
and  earnestness. 

"  The  burial  casket  was  draped  with  the  national  colors, 
and  garlands  of  flowers  were  strewn  on  the  top.  A  splen- 
did photograph  of  Col.  Dahlgren  lay  at  the  head  of  the 
bier,  as  well  as  the  following  autograph-letter  of  Secretary 
Stanton,  which  accompanied  young  Dahlgren's  commission 
as  colonel,  in  which  the  Secretary  thus  paid  earnest  tribute 
to  the  hero's  gallant  services :  — 

"  '  WASHINGTON,  July  21,  1863. 

'"DEAR  SIR: — Enclosed  you  have  a  commission  for 
colonel,  without  having  passed  through  the  intermediate 
grade  of  major.  Your  gallant  and  meritorious  service  has,  I 
think,  entitled  you  to  the  distinction,  although  it  is  a  depart- 
ure from  general  usage,  which  is  only  justified  by  distin- 
guished merit  such  as  yours.  I  hope  you  may  speedily 
recover  ;  and  it  will  rejoice  me  to  be  the  instrument  of  your 
further  advancement  in  the  service. 

"  *  With  great  regard,  I  am  yours  truly, 

"  '  EDWIN  M.  STANTON.' 

"The  remains  were  escorted,  at  the  close  of  the  services, 
to  the  depot,  and  were  taken  by  the  evening  train  to  Phila- 
delphia, where  they  laid  in  state,  in  Independence  Hall,  dur- 
ing the  night. 

"  The  final  funeral  services  were  held  in  the  morning ;  the 
Rev.  J.  P.  Wilson,  of  Newark,  delivering  an  appropriate 
discourse.  The  body  was  then  removed  to  Laurel  Hill,  that 


856      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

beautiful  "city  of  the  dead,"  —  so  like  our  own  beloved 
Mount  Auburn,  —  escorted  by  six  companies  of  the  Seventh 
Regiment  of  the  first  army  corps,  and  two  companies  of 
marines  and  city  troops,  who  acted  as  a  guard  of  honor. 
Among  the  distinguished  officers  present  were  Rear- Admi- 
ral Dahlgren,  the  father  of  the  deceased,  and  Gens.  Meade 
and  Humphreys.  His  Honor  the  Mayor  was  also  of  the 
party. 

"  No  loyal  heart  can  fail  to  thank  God  with  feelings  of 
devout  gratitude,  as  well  for  himself  as  for  a  brave  officer 
and  bereaved  family,  that  the  mortal  remains  of  the  chival- 
rous young  hero  were  at  last  recovered  from  a  ruthless 
burial  in  rebel  soil,  and  brought  home,  —  back  to  the  scenes 
of  his  earlier  years,  —  there  to  be  finally  entombed  with  all 
the  honors  due  the  highest  type  of  Christian  knighthood. 

'  "A  brief  career  was  his  ;  and  yet  how  noble,  how  sublime, 
its  well-filled  record !  How  many  and  how  brilliant  were 
his  exploits  by  day  and  by  night !  How  well  do  I  remem- 
ber him  —  the  last  time  I  ever  saw  his  manly  face  —  as 
he  appeared  at  Gettysburg  !  —  so  brave  and  hopeful,  so  full 
of  zeal  and  patriotic  ardor.  It  is  impossible  not  to  be  in- 
spired by  his  very  presence. 

"  Soon  after  this  he  was  severely  wounded,  and,  when  all 
hope  was  lost,  suffered  the  amputation  of  his  foot  and  ankle. 
In  this  condition  he  paid  a  visit  to  his  father,  then  in  com- 
mand of  our  naval  force  before  Charleston.  Writing  to  a 
friend  from  that  place,  he  says,  '  I  stay  to  take  part  in  the 
great  fight :  if  I  die,  what  more  glorious  than  the  death  of 
men  fighting  for  their  country?'  Such  a  death,  soon  after, 


LAST  HOURS  OF  FREEDOM'S  CHAMPIONS.       357 

but  not  then  and  there,  was  his  fate,  —  a  noble  and  heroic 
struggle  against  all  hope  of  success,  and  a  death  and  burial 
such  as  would  disgrace  the  fiendish  warriors  of  a  savage 
tribe. 

"  Ulric  Dahlgren  deserved  a  better  fate  than  this,  even  at 
the  hands  of  his  enemies ;  for  they  had  never  found  him 
other  than  a  brave,  honorable,  and  humane  foe." 

Only  one  more  record,  and  the  list  will  be  reluctantly 
closed.  John  B.  Marsh,  a  Union  soldier,  was  a  prisoner 
among  the  rebels,  forced  into  their  ranks,  and,  on  deserting, 
was  recaptured,  and  then  shot.  He  succeeded  in  giving  the 
following  note  to  a  fellow-prisoner  :  — 

"  Kind  friend,  if  ever  you  reach  our  happy  lines,  have 
this  put  into  the  Northern  papers,  that  my  father,  Rev. 
Leonard  Marsh,  who  resides  in  Maine,  may  know  what  has 
become  of  me,  and  what  I  was  shot  for.  I  am  to  be  shot 
for  defending  my  country.  I  love  her,  and  am  willing  to 
die  for  her.  Tell  my  parents  I  am  also  happy  in  the  Lord. 
My  future  is  bright.  I  hope  to  speak  to  you  as  I  pass  out 
to  die.  "  JOHN  B.  MARSH." 

"  One  of  the  guards  told  Mr.  Shipman,  that  when  young 
Marsh  was  placed  by  his  coffin,  and  ready  to  receive  the  fire 
of  his  executioners,  he  was  told  he  could  speak  a  word  if 
he  desired  to.  He  took  off  his  hat,  and,  looking  upon  them, 
cried  out,  '  Three  cheers  for  the  old  flag  and  the  Union  ! ' 
then,  swinging  his  hat,  shouted  at  the  top  of  his  voice, 
1  Hurrah,  hurrali,  hurrah!'  and  fell  a  noble  martyr  to  the 
dear  old  flag."  * 

*  New-York  Evangelist. 


358      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

Thus  have  our  loyal  braves  passed  on  to  their  reward. 
"We  are  proud  of  the  record,*  —  we  who  love  the  flag  in 
whose  defence  they  died. 

Thank  God  for  the  hope  of  meeting  those  among  them 
whom  we  knew  and  loved,  where  Affection's  amaranthine 
flower  blooms  in  its  undying  beautv,  while  the  angels  will 
gather  the  immortal  blossoms,  and  crown  the  ransomed 
children  of  earth  with  fadeless  garlands  ! 

*  Many  loyal  towns  are  wisely  preserving  the  names  of  their  own  heroes 
by  erecting  monuments  to  their  memory.  An  elegant  marble  shaft,  sur- 
mounted by  an  eagle,  thus  commemorates  the  heroic  dead  of  Reading, 
Mass.  The  following  ode,  written  by  the  author  of  these  pages,  was  sung 
at  the  inauguration  of  the  monument :  — 

Air,  —  "  Pleyel's  Hymn." 

To  this  sacred  spot  we  come, 
Half  triumphant,  half  in  gloom; 
Thinking  of  the  brave  and  blest 
Gone  to  share  a  patriot's  rest. 

Now  the  marble  shaft  we  rear : 
Hero-names  recorded  there, 
Telling  to  all  coming  time 
Of  their  patriot  deeds  sublime. 

And  though  far  from  us  repose 
Some  that  bravely  met  our  foes, 
Near  or  far  they  all  shall  be 
Honored  by  the  pure  and  free. 

Lord  1  may  we  life's  conflict  meet, 
As  they  went,  with  willing  feet; 
Crowned  as  victors  may  we  rise, 
Meet  our  brave  ones  in  the  skies  I 


THE  MARTYR  OF  MARTYRS.  359 

\ 

CHAPTER  X. 

THE   MARTYR   OF   MARTYRS. 

"  Great  in  his  grasp  of  thought,  and  good  as  wise,— 

Not  one  pale  shadow  on  his  fame  to  rest : 
Honor,  love,  trust,  and  all  that  good  men  prize, 

Were  well-worn  treasures  of  his  guileless  breast. 
We  dare  not  count  our  loss,  but  strive  to  see 
Through  the  thick  darkness  where  God's  light  may  be. 

Bring  for  his  honored  head  the  laurel-crown ; 

Low  at  his  feet  Spring's  loveliest  blossoms  spread ; 
On  spotless  marble  grave  his  fair  renown, 

And  write  his  name  among  our  noblest  dead. 
Deep  in  the  nation's  heart  his  rest  shall  be, 
Till  time  is  lost  in  far  eternity." 

"  L.,"  in  the  "  BOSTON  TRANSCRIPT." 

NE  of  the  greatest  men  of  modern  times  was  ABRA- 
HAM LINCOLN,  and  one  of  the  best  for  his  time  and 
place.  His  name  is  more  deeply  graven  in  the 
hearts  of  the  loyal  American  people  to-day  than  that  of  any 
that  adorns  the  storied  shaft  of  any  age.  Nor  is  monu- 
mental marble  needed  for  a  man  whose  fame  belongs  not 
only  to  his  country,  but  to  humanity  ;  not  only  to  the  nine- 
teenth century,  but  to  the  ages.  It  outshines  the  sun  ;  it 
will  outlast  the  nation  ;  for  it  will  live  as  the  name  of  a 
Messiah,  even  till  all  nations  shall  be  merged  into  that  great 
kingdom  whose  endless  duration  was  the  burden  of  ancient 
prophecy,  and  is  still  the  theme  of  immortal  song. 


360      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

Born  amid  the  obscurity  of  log-cabin  life  in  Kentucky, 
on  the  12th  of  February,  1809,  Abraham  Lincoln,  by  dint 
of  untiring  effort  and  undaunted  perseverance,  aided  by  a 
good  conscience  and  pioneer  health,  rose  to  eminence  as  a 
lawyer  and  a  statesman,  and  on  the  4th  of  March,  1861, 
took  his  seat  in  the  chair  of  Washington,  as  the  acknowl- 
edged head  of  the  nation. 

Then  followed  four  years  of  sanguinary  conflict.  The 
Quaker  blood  of  the  new  President  asked  for  peace  ;  but  the 
rebel  horde  would  not  accept  an  olive-branch  from  him,  and 
saw  only  in  his  inaugural  address  a  declaration  of  war. 

God  reserved  for  this  man,  whom  he  had  ordained  to  be 
a  "  Saul  among  his  brethren  "  in  more  than  one  sense,  the 
high  privilege  of  issuing  a  proclamation,  which,  in  all 
coming  time,  should  rank  with  the  Magna  Charta  and 
the  Declaration  of  Independence,  —  the  Proclamation  of 
Emancipation,  whereby  the  chains  of  slavery  were  broken, 
and  millions  made  forever  free  beneath  the  glorious  banner 
of  our  country.  This  proclamation  came  in  force  on  New- 
Year's  Day,  1863.  For  its  issue,  the  colored  people  of  our 
land  now  look  upon  him  as  their  deliverer,  —  the  Messiah 
who  came  to  proclaim  liberty  to  the  captives,  the  Moses 
who  should  lead  them  to  the  Promised  Land. 

And  truly  he  was  like  Moses  :  for  he  only  saw  the  land  ; 
he  did  not  stay  to  possess  it.  By  the  ruthless  hand  of  a  bar- 
barous assassin,  while  seeking  a  little  rest  from  crushing 
labors,  in  Ford's  Theatre,  at  Washington,  April  14,  1865, 
the  great  and  good  man  was  cruelly  murdered.  The  news 
of  the  assassination  darted  along  the  wires,  and  a  nation's 


THE  MARTYR   OF  MARTYRS.  361 

eyes  flashed  fire  :  the  intelligence  of  the  death  of  this  pre- 
eminent martyr  followed,  and  a  nation  wept.  And  this  is 
no  figure  of  speech.  Strong  men  shed  tears  as  they  heard 
"  The  President  is  dead  !  "  and  their  home-circles  were  as 
one  band  of  weeping  mourners  for  him  who  seemed  a  per- 
sonal friend  to  all.  The  funeral  services  all  over  the  loyal 
North  told  again  the  grief  at  first  manifested.* 

This  brief  sketch  of  the  life  of  the  martyr  of  martyrs  in 
our  country's  struggle  is  all  that  can  here  be  furnished. 
Able  pens  have  written  his  biography  again  and  again  ;  and 
the  reader  is  advised  to  seek  such  records  of  a  stainless  life 
and  heroic  death. 

*  The  following  hymn,  by  the  writer  of  these  pages,  was  sung  in  Read- 
ing, Mass.,  on  the  day  of  the  funeral :  — 

Air,  —  "  Mount  Vernon." 

Hushed  to-day  are  sounds  of  gladness 

From  the  mountains  to  the  sea, 
While  the  plaintive  voice  of  sadness 

Rises,  mighty  God!  to  thee. 

Freedom  claimed  another  martyr; 

Heaven  received  another  saint. 
Who  are  we,  thy  will  to  question  ? 

Lord,  we  weep  without  complaint. 

May  we,  to  thy  wisdom  bowing, 

Own  thy  love  in  this  dark  spell, 
While  with  tears  a  mighty  nation 

Buries  one  it  loved  so  well ! 

And  O  Thou  who  took  our  leader, 

With  the  Promised  Land  in  view, 
While  on  Pisgah's  height  we  leave  him, 

Lead  us,  Lord,  the  Jordan  through  ! 


362      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL',  AND  PRISON. 

A  few  incidents,  however,  in  his  life,  may  here  be  men- 
tioned. Here  is  a  record  of  his  visit  to  Antietam,  by  John 
W.  Garrett,  Esq.,*  which  reveals  the  true  nobility  of  the 
future  martyr :  — 

"  By  his  request,  I  accompanied  President  Lincoln,  im- 
mediately after  the  battle  of  Antietam,  to  the  scene  of  that 
sanguinary  conflict,  after  passing  over  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  Road  from  Washington  to  Harper's  Ferry.  I  continued 
with  him,  by  his  desire,  during  the  memorable  period  he 
spent  with  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Federal  army,  and 
among  the  hospitals,  and  the  wounded  upon  that  bloody  field. 
As  in  accord  with  the  spirit  of  your  fraternity,  I  will  men- 
tion a  scene  which  occurred  in  one  of  those  hospitals,  which 
bedewed  many  eyes. 

"  The  President  examined  kindly  and  tenderly  into  the 
condition  and  care  of  the  Federal  wounded.  He  also  passed 
through  the  hospitals  where  were  placed  the  Confederate 
wounded.  Many  of  these  hospitals,  in  view  of  the  large 
numberof  the  wounded,  were  improvised  from  the  barns  upon 
and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  field  of  battle.  Passing  through 
one  of  these,  the  middle  space  of  an  extensive  Switzer  barn, 
where  a  large  number  of  Confederate  wounded  lay,  the  Pres- 
ident stopped  about  the  centre  of  the  apartment,  opposite 
to  a  youth  of  striking  appearance,  probably  of  eighteen  or 
twenty  years  of  age.  He  lay  looking  very  feeble  and  pallid. 
He  held  three  straws  in  his  hand,  and  was  feebly  moving 

*  Mr.  Garrett  was  presiding  at  a  banquet  given  by  Baltimore  merchants 
to  the  United-States  Convention  of  Odd  Fellows. 


THE  MARTYR  OF  MARTYRS.  363 

them  to  keep  the  insects  from  his  face.  The  President  asked 
if  he  had  received  all  necessary  attention.  He  replied 
that  he  had  ;  that  his  right  leg  had  been  amputated.  The 
President  responded,  '  I  trust  you  will  get  well.'  The  youth, 
great  tears  rolling  from  his  eyes,  said,  '  No  ;  I  am  sinking : 
I  shall  die.'  The  President  leaned  tenderly  over  him,  and 
said,  'Will  you  shake  hands  with  me?'  I  remarked, 
'This  is  President  Lincoln.'  He  attempted  to  raise  his 
hand,  and  gave  it  to  the  President.  The  President  asked 
him,  'Where  are  you  from?'  —  'From  Georgia.'  Again 
the  President  expressed  the  hope,  still  holding  his  hand,  that 
he  would  recover.  '  No,'  said  the  youth  ;  '  I  shall  never  see 
my  mother  again  :  I  shall  die.'  The  President  still  held  his 
hand,  and  fervently  ejaculated,  whilst  he  wept,  and  his  tears 
mingled  with  those  of  the  sufferer,  '  May  God  bless  you, 
and  restore  you  to  your  mother  and  your  home  ! '  Amid  all 
the  sad  scenes  of  that  field  of  carnage,  coming  forth  from  that 
sanctified  spot,  I  said,  '  Mr.  President,  such  kindness  will 
make  missionaries  of  good  will  of  the  soldiers  who  return 
South  to  their  homes.'  The  President  then  expressed  his 
wishes  generally  to  those  accompanying  him,  that  all  the 
wounded  and  all  the  sufferers  should  be  kindly  treated,  and, 
in  the  course  of  conversation  thereafter,  expressed  sanguine 
hopes,  that  at  an  early  day,  instead  of  such  scenes  of  suffer- 
ing, scenes  of  concord  and  of  good  feeling,  and  a  restored 
Union,  would  be  speedily  realized." 

"The  following  letter  from  the  President  is  also  a  proof 
of  his  sympathy  with  the  bereaved  who  mourn  the  loss  of 


364      FIELD,    GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

patriot  friends.  The  lady  who  received  this  letter  was  a 
poor  widow,  residing  in  Boston.  Her  sixth  son,  when  the 
letter  was  published,  was  lying  in  a  hospital. 

EXECUTIVE  MANSION,  WASHDJGTOX, 
Nov.  25,  1864. 

DEAR  MADAM, — I  have  been  shown,  in  the  files  of  the 
War  Department,  a  statement  of  the  Adjutant-General  of 
Massachusetts,  that  you  are  the  mother  of  five  sons  who 
died  gloriously  on  the  field  of  battle.  I  feel  how  weak  and 
fruitless  must  be  any  words  of  mine  which  should  attempt 
to  beguile  you  from  the  grief  of  a  loss  so  overwhelming  ;  but 
I  cannot  refrain  from  tendering  to  you  consolation  that  may 
be  found  in  the  thanks  of  the  Republic  they  died  to  save. 
I  pray  that  our  heavenly  Father  may  assuage  the  anguish 
of  your  bereavement,  and  leave  you  only  the  cherished 
memory  of  the  loved  and  lost,  and  the  solemn  pride  that 
must  be  yours  to  have  laid  so  costly  a  sacrifice  upon  the 
altar  of  Freedom. 

Yours  very  sincerely  and  respectfully, 
To  MRS.  BIXBY,  Boston,  Mass.  A.    LINCOLN. 

The  manner  in  which  Secretary  Seward  came  to  know  of 
the  death  of  President  Lincoln  was  singularly  touching.  A 
correspondent  of  the  "  Philadelphia  Bulletin  "  says,  — 

"  Mr.  Seward  had  been  kept  in  ignorance  of  -the  attack 
on  the  President,  his  physician  fearing  that  the  shock  would 
be  too  great  for  him  to  bear ;  and  all  newspapers  were  ri- 
gidly excluded  from  his  room.  On  the  Sunday  following  the 
assassination,  the  Secretary  had  the  bed  wheeled  around  so 


THE  MAPT7R  OF  MARTYRS.  365 

that  he  conld  see  the  tops  of  the  trees  in  the  park  opposite, 
just  putting  on  the  spring  foliage  ;  when  his  eye  caught  the 
stars  and  stripes  at  half-mast  on  the  War  Department,  on 
which  he  gazed  a  while,  then,  turning  to  his  attendant  said, 
'  The  President  is  dead  ! '  The  attendant  stammered,  and 
changed  color,  as  he  tried  to  say  nay  ;  but  the  sagacious  old 
man  said,  '  If  he  had  been  alive,  he  would  have  been  the 
first  to  call  on  me ;  but  he  has  not  been  here,  nor  has  he 
sent  to  know  how  I  am  :  and  there's  the  flag  at  half-mast.' 
The  old  statesman's  inductive  reasoning  had  told  the  truth ; 
and  he  lay  in  silence,  tears  coursing  down  his  gashed  cheeks 
as  the  dreadful  truth  sank  into  his  mind." 

The  following  well  illustrates  the  character  of  the  martyr 
of  martyrs.  It  is  from  the  pen  of  a  correspondent  in  the 
"  New- York  World." 

"  I  am  sitting  in  the  President's  office.  He  was  here 
very  lately  ;  but  he  will  not  return  to  dispossess  me  of  this 
high-backed  chair  he  filled  so  long,  nor  resume  his  daily 
work  at  the  table  where  I  am  writing. 

"  There  are  here  only  Major  Hay,  and  the  friend  who  no- 
companies  me.  A  bright-faced  boy  runs  in  and  out,  darkly 
attired,  so  that  his  fob-chain  of  gold  is  the  only  relief  to  his 
mourning  garb.  This  is  little  Tad,  the  pet  of  the  White 
House.  That  great  death  with  which  the  world  rings  has 
made  upon  him  only  the  light  impression  which  all  things 
make  on  childhood.  He  will  live  to  be  a  man  pointed  out 
everywhere  for  his  father's  sake  ;  and,  as  folks  look  at  him, 
the  tableau  of  the  murder  will  seem  to  encircle  him. 

"  The  room  is  long  and  high,  and  so  thickly  hung  with 


866      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

maps,  that  the  color  of  the  wall  cannot  be  discerned.  The 
President's  table,  at  which  I  am  seated,  adjoins  a  window 
at  the  farthest  corner ;  and  to  the  left  of  my  chair,  as  I  re- 
cline in  it,  there  is  a  longer  table,  before  an  empty  grate, 
around  which  there  are  many  chairs,  where  the  Cabinet 
used  to  assemble.  The  carpet  is  trodden  thin,  and  the 
brilliance  of  its  dyes  is  lost.  The  furniture  is  of  the  formal 
cabinet  class,  stately  and  semi-comfortable.  There  are  book- 
cases, sprinkled  with  the  spare  library  of  a  country  lawyer, 
but  lately  plethoric,  like  the  thin  body  which  has  departed 
in  its  coffin.  They  are  taking  away  Mr.  Lincoln's  private 
effects,  to  deposit  them  wheresoever  his  family  may  abide  ; 
and  the  emptiness  of  the  place,  on  this  sunny  Sunday,  re- 
vives that  feeling  of  desolation  from  which  the  land  has 
scarce  recovered.  I  rise  from  my  seat,  and  examine  the 
maps :  they  are  from  the  coast-survey  and  the  engineer  de- 
partments, and  exhibit  all  the  contested  ground  of  the  war. 
There  are  pencil  lines  upon  them,  where  some  one  has  traced 
the  route  of  armies,  and  planned  the  strategic  circumfer- 
ences of  campaigns.  "Was  it  the  dead  President  who  so 
followed  the  march  of  empire,  and  dotted  the  sites  of  shock 
and  overthrow? 

"  Here  is  the  Manassas  country  ;  here  the  long  reach  of 
the  wasted  Shenandoah  ;  here  the  wavy  line  of  the  James, 
and  the  sinuous  Peninsula.  The  wide  campagna  of  the 
Gulf  country  sways  in  the  Potomac  breeze  that  filters  in  at 
the  window ;  and  the  Mississippi  climbs  up  the  wall,  with 
blotches  of  blue  and  red  to  show  where  blood  gushed  at  the 
bursting  of  deadly  bombs.  So  in  the  half-gloomy,  half- 


THE  MARTYR  OF  MARTYRS.  367 

grand  apartment  roamed  the  tall  and  wrinkled  figure,  whom 
the  country  had  summoned  from  his  plain  home  into  mighty 
history,  with  the  geography  of  the  Republic  drawn  into  a 
narrow  compass,  so  that  he  might  lay  his  great  brown  hand 
upon  it  everywhere.  And  walking  to  and  fro,  to  and  fro, 
to  measure  the  destinies  of  arms,  he  often  stopped,  with  his 
thoughtful  eyes  upon  the  carpet,  to  ask  if  his  life  were  real, 
and  he  were  the  arbiter  of  so  tremendous  issues,  or  whether 
it  was  not  all  a  fever-dream,  snatched  from  his  sofa  in  the 
routine  office  of  the  prairie  State. 

"  There  is  but  one  picture  on  the  marble  mantle  over  the 
cold  grate,  —  John  Bright,  —  a  photograph. 

"  I  can  well  imagine  how  the  mind  of  Mr.  Lincoln  often 
went  afar  to  the  face  of  Bright,  who  said  such  kindly  things 
of  him  when  Europe  was  mocking  his  homely  guise  and 
provincial  phraseology.  To  Mr.  Lincoln,  John  Bright  was 
the  standard-bearer  of  America  and  Democracy  in  the  Old 
World.  He  thrilled  over  Bright's  bold  denunciations  of 
peer  and  '  privilege,'  and  stretched  his  long  arm  across  the 
Atlantic  to  take  that  daring  Quaker  innovator  by  the 
hand. 

"  I  see  some  books  on  the  table,  —  perhaps  they  have  lain 
there  undisturbed  since  the  reader's  dimming  eyes  grew 
nerveless,  —  a  parliamentary  manual,  a  thesaurus,  and  two 
books  of  humor,  '  Orpheus  C.  Kerr '  and  '  Artemus  Ward.' 
These  last  were  read  by  Mr.  Lincoln  in  the  pauses  of  his 
hard  day's  labor.  Their  tenure  here  bears  out  the  popular 
verdict  of  his  partiality  for  a  good  joke.  And  through  the 
window,  from  this  seat  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  I  see,  across  the 


368      FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

grassy  grounds  of  the  Capitol,  the  broken  shaft  of  the  Wash- 
ington Monument,  the  Long  Bridge,  and  the  fort-tipped 
Heights  of  Arlington,  reaching  down  to  the  shining  river- 
side. These  scenes  he  looked  at  often  to  catch  some  fresh- 
ness of  leaf  and  water,  and  often  raised  the  sash  to  let  the 
world  rush  in  where  only  the  nation  abided  ;  and  hence  on 
that  awful  night  he  departed  early,  to  forget  this  room  and 
its  close  applications  in  the  abandon  of  the  theatre. 

"  I  wonder  if  that  were  the  least  of  Booth's  crimes  to 
slay  this  public  servant  in  the  stolen  hours  of  recreation  he 
enjoyed  but  seldom.  We  worked  his  life  out  here,  and 
killed  him  wThen  he  asked  a  holiday. 

"  Outside  of  this  room  there  is  an  office,  where  his  secre- 
taries sat,  —  a  room  more  narrow,  but  as  long  ;  and,  oppo- 
site this  adjunct  office,  a  second  door,  directly  behind  Mr. 
Lincoln's  chair,  leads,  by  a  private  passage,  to  his  family 
quarters.  This  passage  is  his  only  monument  in  the  build- 
ing :  he  added  or  subtracted  nothing  else.  It  tells  a  long 
story  of  duns  and  loiterers,  contract-hunters  and  seekers  for 
commissions,  garrulous  parents  on  paltry  errands,  toadies 
without  measure,  and  talkers  without  conscience.  They 
pressed  upon  him  through  a  great  door  opposite  his  win- 
dow, and,  hat  in  hand,  came  courtesying  to  his  chair,  with 
an  obsequious  '  Mr.  President ! ' 

"  If  he  dared,  though  the  chief  magistrate  and  commander 
of  the  army  and  navy,  to  go  out  by  the  great  door,  these 
vampires  leaped  upon  him  with  their  Babylonian  pleas,  and 
barred  his  walk  to  his  hearthside.  He  could  not  insult 
them,  since  it  was  not  in  his  nature  ;  and  perhaps  many  of 


THE  MARTYR  OF  MARTYRS.  369 

them  had  really  urgent  errands.  So  he  called  up  the  car- 
penter, and  ordered  a  strategic  route  cut  from  his  office  to  his 
hearth,  and  perhaps  told  of  it  after  with  much  merriment. 

"  Here  should  be  written  the  biography  of  his  official 
life,  —  in  the  room  where  have  concentrated  all  the  wires  of 
action,  and  whence  have  proceeded  the  resolves  which  vital- 
ized in  historic  deeds.  But  only  great  measures,  however 
carried  out,  were  conceived  in  this  office. 

"  As  I  hear  from  my  acquaintances  here  these  episodes 
of  the  President's  life,  I  recall  many  reminiscenses  of  his  ride 
from  Springfield  to  Harrisburg,  over  much  of  which  I 
passed.  Then  he  left  home,  and  became  an  inhabitant  of 
history.  His  face  was  solid  and  healthy,  his  step  young, 
his  speech  and  manner  bold  and  kindly.  I  saw  him  at 
Trenton  stand  in  the  Legislature,  and  say,  in  his  conversa- 
tional intonation, — 

"  '  We  may  have  to  put  the  foot  down  firm.' 

"  How  should  we  have  hung  upon  his  accents  then,  had  we 
anticipated  his  virtues  and  his  fate  ! 

"  Death  is  requisite  to  make  opinion  grave.  We  looked 
upon  Mr.  Lincoln  then  as  an  amusing  sensation  ;  and  there 
was  much  guffaw  as  he  was  regarded  by  the  populace :  he 
had  not  passed  out  of  partisan  ownership.  Little  by  little, 
afterward,  he  won  esteem,  and  often  admiration,  until  the 
measure  of  his  life  was  full,  and  the  victories  he  achieved 
made  the  world  applaud  him.  Yet,  at  this  date,  the  Presi- 
dent was  sadly  changed.  Four  years  of  perplexity  and 
devotion  had  wrinkled  his  face,  and  stooped  his  shoulders  ; 


370      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

and  the  failing  eyes  that  glared  upon  the  play  closed  as  his 
mission  was  completed,  and  the  world  had  been  educated 
enough  to  comprehend  him. 

"  The  White  House  has  been  more  of  a  republican  man- 
sion under  his  control  than  for  many  administrations.  Un- 
couth guests  came  to  it  often,  typical  of  the  simple  Western 
civilization  of  which  he  was  a  graduate  ;  and,  while  no 
coarse  altercation  has  ever  ensued,  the  portal  has  swung 
wide  for  four  years. 

"  A  friend,  connected  with  a  Washington  newspaper,  told 
me  that  he  had  occasion  to  see  Mr.  Lincoln  one  evening, 
and  found  that  the  latter  had  gone  to  bed.  But  he  was  told 
to  sit  down  in  the  office,  and  directly  the  President  entered. 
He  wore  only  a  night-shirt ;  and  his  long,  lank,  hirsute 
limbs,  as  he  sat  down,  inclined  the  guest  to  laughter.  Mr. 
Lincoln  disposed  of  his  request  at  once,  and  manifested  a 
desire  to  talk.  So  he  reached  for  the  cane  which  my  friend 
carried,  and  conversed  in  this  manner  :  — 

'"I  always  used  a  cane  when  I  was  a  boy.  It  was  a 
freak  of  mine.  My  favorite  one  was  a  knotted  beech  stick, 
and  I  carved  the  head  myself.  There's  a  mighty  amount 
of  character  in  sticks.  Don't  you  think  so  ?  You  have  seen 
these  fishing-poles  that  fit  into  a  cane  ?  Well,  that  was  an 
old  idea  of  mine.  Dogwood-clubs  were  favorite  ones  with 
the  boys.  I  s'pose  they  use  'em  yet.  Hickory  is  too  heavy, 
unless  you  get  it  from  a  young  sapling.  Have  you  ever  no- 
ticed how  a  stick  in  one's  hand  will  change  his  appearance  ? 
Old  women  and  witches  wouldn't  look  so  without  sticks. 
Meg  Merrilies  understands  that.' 


THE  MARTYR  OF  MARTYRS.         371 

"  In  this  way,  my  friend,  who  is  a  clerk  in  a  newspaper- 
office,  heard  the  President  talk  for  an  hour.  The  undress 
of  the  man,  and  the  triteness  of  his  subject,  would  be  staples 
for  merriment  if  we  did  not  reflect  that  his  greatness  was 
of  no  conventional  cast ;  that  the  playfulness  of  his  nature, 
and  the  simplicity  of  his  illustration,  lightened  public  busi- 
ness, but  never  arrested  it. 

"  It  will  not  do  to  say  definitely  in  this  notice  how  several 
occasional  writers  visited  the  White  House,  heard  the  Presi- 
dent's views,  and  assented  to  them,  and  afterward  abused 
him.  But  these  attained  no  remembrance,  nor  tart  reproach, 
from  that  least  retaliatory  of  men.  He  harbored  no  malice, 
and  is  said  to  have  often  placed  himself  on  the  stand-point 
of  Davis  and  Lee,  and  accounted  for  their  defection  while 
he  could  not  excuse  it. 

"  He  was  a  good  reader,  and  took  all  the  leading  New- 
York  dailies  every  day.  His  secretaries  perused  them,  and 
selected  all  the  items  which  would  interest  the  President : 
these  were  read  to  him,  and  considered.  He  bought  few 
new  books,  but  seemed  ever  alive  to  works  of  comic  value. 
The  vein  of  humor  in  him  was  not  boisterous  in  its  mani- 
festations, but  touched  the  geniality  of  his  nature ;  and  he 
reproduced  all  that  he  absorbed,  to  elucidate  some  new  issue, 
or  turn  away  argument  by  a  laugh. 

"As  a  jester,  Mr.  Lincoln's  tendency  was  caricatured  by 
the  prints,  but  not  exaggerated.  He  probably  told  as  many 
stories  as  are  attributed  to  him,  but  not  all  that  are  attribut- 
ed to  him.  Nor  did  he,  as  is  averred,  indulge  in  these 


372       FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

jests  on  solemn  occasions.  No  man  felt  with  such  personal 
intensity  the  extent  of  the  casualties  of  his  time  ;  and  he 
often  gravely  reasoned  whether  he  could  be  in  any  way 
responsible  for  the  bloodshed  and  devastation  over  which  it 
was  his  duty  to  preside. 

"  An  acquaintance  of  mine,  a  printer,  once  went  to  him 
to  plead  for  a  man's  life.  He  had  never  seen  the  man  for 
whom  he  pleaded,  and  had  no  acquaintance  with  the  man's 
family.  Mr.  Lincoln  was  touched  by  his  disinterestedness^ 
and  said  to  him,  — 

"  '  If  I  were  any  thing  but  the  President,  I  would  be  con- 
stantly working  as  you  have  done.' 

"  Whenever  a  doubt  of  one's  guilt  lay  on  his  mind,  the 
man  was  spared  by  his  direct  interference. 

"  There  was  an  entire  absence,  in  the  President's  charac- 
ter, of  the  heroic  element.  He  would  do  a  great  deed  in  rfis- 
habille  as  promptly  as  in  full  dress.  He  never  aimed  to  be 
brilliant,  unconsciously  understanding  that  a  great  man's 
brilliancy  is  to  be  measured  by  the  '  wholeness '  and  syn- 
thetic cast  of  his  career,  rather  than  by  any  fitful  ebullitions. 
For  this  reason,  we  look  in  vain  through  his  messages  for 
'  points.'  His  point  was  not  to  turn  a  sentence  or  an  epi- 
gram, but  to  win  an  effect,  regardless  of  the  route  to  it. 

"  He  was  commonplace  in  his  talk,  and  Chesterfield  would 
have  had  no  patience  with  him.  His  dignity  of  character 
lay  in  his  uprightness  rather  than  in  his  formal  manner. 
Members  of  his  government  often  reviewed  him  plainly  in 
his  presence ;  yet  he  divined  the  true  course,  while  they 
only  argued  it  out. 


THE  MARTYR  OF  MARTYRS.  373 

"  His  good  feeling  was  not  only  personal,  but  national. 
He  had  no  prejudice  against  any  race  or  potentate ;  and 
his  democracy  was  of  a  practical  rather  than  of  a  demon- 
strative nature.  He  was  not  Marat,  but  Moreau;  not 
Paine  and  Jefferson,  but  Franklin. 

"His  domestic  life  was  like  a  parlor  at  night-time,  lit  by 
the  equal  grate  of  his  genial  and  uniform  kindness.  Young 
Thaddy  played  with  him  upon  the  carpet :  Robert  came 
home  from  the  war,  and  talked  to  his  father  as  to  a  school- 
mate. He  was  to  Mrs.  Lincoln  as  chivalrous  on  the  last 
day  of  his  life  as  when  he  courted  her.  I  have  somewhere 
seen  a  picture  of  Henry  IV.  of  France  riding  his  babies  on 
his  back  :  that  was  the  President. 

"  So  dwelt  the  citizen  who  is  gone,  —  a  model  in  charac- 
ter, if  not  in  ceremony,  for  good  men  to  come  who  will  take 
his  place  in  this  same  White  House,  and  find  their  genera- 
tion comparing  them  to  the  man  thought  worthy  of  assas- 
sination. I  am  glad  to  sit  here  in  his  chair,  where  he  has 
bent  so  often,  in  the  atmosphere  of  the  household  he  purified, 
in  the  sight  of  the  green  grass  and  the  blue  river  he  hal- 
lowed by  gazing  upon,  in  the  very  centre  of  the  nation  he 
preserved  for  the  people,  and  close  the  list  of  bloody  deeds, 
of  desperate  flights,  of  swift  expiations,  of  renowned  obse- 
quies, which  I  have  written,  by  inditing  at  his  table  the 
goodness  of  his  life  and  the  eternity  of  his  memory." 

The  following  graphic  picture,  from  the  inimitable  pen  of 
"  Carleton,"  shows  how  the  freedmen  regard  their  great 
deliverer :  — 

"  I  was  standing  upon  the  bank  of  the  river,  viewing  the 


374       FIELD,  GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,   AND  PRISON. 

scene  of  desolation,  when  a  boat,  pulled  by  twelve  sailors, 
came  up  stream.  It  contained  President  Lincoln  and  his 
son,  Admiral  Porter,  Capt.  Penrose  of  the  army,  Capt.  A. 
H.  Adams  of  the  navy,  Lieut.  W.  W.  Clemens  of  the  sig- 
nal corps.  Somehow  the  negroes  on  the  bank  of  the  river 
ascertained  that  the  tall  man  wearing  a  black  hat  was  Pres- 
ident Lincoln.  There  was  a  sudden  shout.  An  officer,  who 
had  just  picked  up  fifty  negroes  to  do  work  on  the  dock, 
found  himself  alone.  They  left  work,  and  crowded  round 
the  President.  As  he  approached,  I  said  to  a  colored  wo- 
man, — 

" '  There  is  the  man  who  made  you  free.' 

'"What,  massa?' 

"  '  That  is  President  Lincoln.' 

"'Dat  President  Linkum?' 

"'Yes.' 

"  She  gazed  at  him  a  moment,  clapped  her  hands,  and 
jumped  straight  up  and  down,  shouting  '  Glory,  glory, 
glory  ! '  till  her  voice  was  lost  in  the  universal  cheer. 

"  There  was  no  carriage  near  ;  so  the  President,  leading 
his  son,  walked  three-quarters  of  a  mile  up  to  Gen.  Weitzel's 
headquarters, — Jeff.  Davis's  mansion.  What  a  spectacle  it 
was  !  Such  a  hurly-burly,  such  wild,  indescribable,  ecstatic 
joy,  I  never  witnessed.  A  colored  man  acted  as  guide. 
Six  sailors,  wearing  their  round  blue  caps  and  short-jack- 
ets and  bagging  pants,  with  navy  carabines,  were  the  ad- 
vance guard  :  then  came  the  President  arid  Admiral  Porter, 
flanked  by  the  officers  accompanying  him,  and  the  correspon- 
dent of  '  The  Journal ; '  then  six  more  sailors  with  carabines, 


THE  MARTYR  OF  MARTYRS.  375 

—  twenty  of  us  all  told, — amid  a  surging  mass  of  men, 
women,  and  children,  black,  white  and  yellow,  running, 
shouting,  dancing,  swinging  their  caps,  bonnets,  and  hand- 
kerchiefs. The  soldiers  saw  him,  and  swelled  the  crowd, 
cheering  in  wild  enthusiasm.  All  could  see  him,  he  was 
so  tall,  so  conspicuous. 

"  No  wonder  that  President  Lincoln,  who  has  a  child's 
heart,  felt  his  soul  stirred  ;  that  the  tears  almost  came  to  his 
eyes  as  he  heard  the  thanksgivings  to  God  and  Jesus,  and  the 
blessings  uttered  for  him  from  thankful  hearts.  They  were 
true,  earnest,  and  heartfelt  expressions  of  gratitude  to  God. 
There  are  thousands  of  men  in  Richmond  to-night  who 
would  lay  down  their  lives  for  President  Lincoln,  —  their 
great  deliverer,  their  best  friend  on  earth.  He  came  among 
them  unheralded,  without  pomp  or  parade.  He  walked 
through  the  streets  as  if  he  were  only  a  private  citizen,  and 
not  the  head  of  a  mighty  nation.  He  came  not  as  a  con- 
queror, not  with  bitterness  in  his  heart,  but  with  kindness. 
He  came  as  a  friend,  to  alleviate  sorrow  and  suffering,  to 
rebuild  what  has  been  destroyed." 

The  correspondent  of  a  Chicago  paper,  who  accompanied 
Gen.  Grant  on  his  visit  to  the  grave  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  thus 
describes  the  burial-place  of  the  lamented  President :  — 

"  We  went  this  morning  (Sept.  13,  1865)  to  Oak  Ridge ; 
and  some  day  we  hope  to  give  a  detailed  account  of 
that  wild  burial-ground.  It  is  about  two  miles  from  the 
city,  and  consists  of  a  tract  of  land  of  about  eighty-eight 
acres,  which  is  in  future  to  be  considered  as  the  Springfield 
burial-ground  proper.  The  remains  are  still  unburied,  and 


376      FIELD,   GUNBOAT,  HOSPITAL,  AND  PRISON. 

lie  in  the  reception-house,  just  as  they  came  from  Washing- 
ton, watered  by  the  tears  of  the  nation.  A  guard-tent  is 
pitched  opposite  to  this  house  of  the  dead,  on  a  rising  knoll 
surrounded  by  trees.  Three  sentries  guard  the  sacred  re- 
mains night  and  day  ;  and  the  stone  doors  are  kept  open,  so 
that  the  air  may  circulate  freely  through  the  place.  An 
iron  gate  protects  the  remains  from  a  too  close  intrusion ; 
although  one  can  see  the  two  coffins,  —  those  of  the  father, 
and  of  the  little  son  who  was  carried  here  from  Washington 
with  him  to  their  final  resting-place." 

With  the  mention  of  the  place  where  our  country's  martyr 
of  martyrs  rests,  this  volume  closes.  Its  pages  contain  a 
glorious  record  of  noble  deeds  ;  and  no  loyal  heart  can 
ponder  the  endurance,  valor,  patriotism,  and  Christian 
excellence,  of  the  soldiers  of  the  Cross  and  the  Union, 
without  feeling  a  commendable  pride,  and,  at  the  same 
time,  a  grateful  sense  of  obligation  to  the  patriots  of  our 
army  and  navy  ;  gratitude  also  to  God  for  so  inspiring  their 
hearts,  that,  when  the  nation's  life  Avas  threatened,  they 
were  willing  even  to  die  in  its  defence. 

May  the  lessons  of  the  past  admonish  our  nation  that 
righteousness  alone  exalteth !  and  may  the  peace  now 
secured  be  perpetual,  because  based  on  the  immutable 
principles  of  justice  and  humanity  ! 


INDEX. 


A  Boy-hero 156 

A  Brave  Standard-bearer 65 

Admiral  Dupont 152 

Admiral  Farragut 124 

Admiral  Foote 150, 15 

Alabama 108 

A  Naval  Victory 121 

Andersonville 312 

Andcrsonville  Cemetery 321 

A  Patriotic  Family 75 

Atrocities  of  the  Rebellion   .  .  .  .  323 
Attack  on  Sumter 135 


Ball's  Bluff 50 

Battle  before  Richmond 177 

Before  Vicksburg 280 

Brownell  the  Avenger 338 

C. 

Capt.  Porter 114 

Capt.  Richard  Derby 172 

Captare  of  Beaufort 135 

"Carleton's"   Letter    from   Rich- 
mond   232 

Charles  Romans 36 

Charles  Warren .  .  ,  .   80 


Chattanooga 283 

Christian-Commission  Incidents    .  340 

"Cincinnati" 115 

Col.  Canfleld 333 

Col.  Munroe 50 

Col.  HendrickB 278 

Commodore  Foote  praying  ....  332 
Count  Schwabe's  Benevolence   .  .  299 

D. 

Dahlgren's  Ride  into  Fredericks- 
burg  197 

Dahlgren's  Defence 346 

Dahlgren's  Funeral 354 

Daylight  and  a  Truce 128 

Dead,— en  Bivouac 189 

Death  of  a  Hero 74 

Death  of  Col.  Baker 340 

Death  of  Gen.  Mitchell       342 

Death  of  Gen.  Lyon 343 

Death  of  Chaplain  Fuller 3M 

Death  of  Major  Camp 313 

Death  of  Sneider 343 

Death  of  Trask 343 

Death  of  a  Nephew  of  Goldsmith  .  344 

Death  of  John  B.  Marsh 345 

Destruction  of  the  "Nashville"  .  .  118 

Dorothea  L.  Dix 286 

877 


378 


INDEX. 


EJ.  In  the  Wilderness 19« 

Eighth  Massachusetts  Regiment   .    20  Iowa :  Western  Patriotism ....   68 

Eleventh  Illinois ...  250 

Elizabeth  Comstock 290  J- 

Ellsworth 337  John  B.  Marsh 357 

Emotions  during  Battle 61  John  Bright 367 

E\  K. 

Faltnouth 340    "  Kearsarge  " 108 

Father  and  Son  on  the  Battle-field  .  74 
Fifteenth  Massachusetts  Regiment  219 
Fifty-fourth  Virginia  Regiment .  .  253  j  Last  Interview  of  Two  Heroes  .  .  .327 

Florence  Nightingale 285  I  Last  Words  of  Ladd 337 

Fort  Donelson 2-15'  Letter  from  J.  G.  Smith,  Jun. .  .  .166 

Fort  Steadinan 229     Letter  from  Lieut.  C.  P.  Abbott  .  .  iC9 

Fort  Sumter 14  !  Letter  from  Sharpsburg, —  "Carle- 
Fort  Wagner 147         ton "      170 

Fredericksburg 202, 200    Letter  from  Col.  Dahlgren 352 

Letter  from  Admiral  Dahlgren    .  .  346 

Libby  Prison 304 

Gen.  Fremont 266    Library  for  Soldiers 295 

Gen.  James  S.  Rice 84  S  Lieut.  G.  P.  Stevens 70 

Gettysburg  Battle 210    Lieut.  J.  William  Grout 72 

God's  Flag 49    Lieut.  Hanaford's  Escape 316 

Gough's  Testimony 80    Little  Tad 365 

EC.  TVE. 

Hero  of  Gettysburg 220    Mabelle's  Fair 295 

Heroes  of  Ball's  Bluff 164  |  Margaret  Fuller  Ossoli 2S5 

Heroic  Massachusetts  Soldier ...  107  I  Massachusetts  Bravery 55 

Hervey  Dix 58  i  Massachusetts  Troops 191 

Hospital  Sketches 286  j  Massachusetts  Thirty-fourth  ....  200 

How  Gen.  Lee  went  into  the  War  .    18  j  Mrs.  Fremont 265 

j  Mrs.  Hayden's  Poem  on  Vicksburg  :!79 

I. 

Impromptu,  by  "  Mabelle 

Incidents  :  Antietam 1*5  Navy  Letters 330 

Indiana  Hero-boy 76  New-York  Seventh 

Indiana  Soldier 78  Nineteenth  Mass.  Regiment    ...  180 


INDEX. 


879 


o. 

One  Leg  more  for  his  Country  .  .   66 
Only  a  Private 84 

F. 


Picket  Guard 188 

Pittsburg  Landing 270 

Prairie  Ridge 273 

President  Lincoln  at  Antietam  .  .  362 
President  Lincoln's  Letter  ....  364 
President  Lincoln  at  Trenton  ...  369 
President  Lincoln's  Playfulness  .  .  371 
President  Lincoln  with  his  Children  373 
President  Lincoln  in  Richmond  .  .  374 
President  Lincoln's  Grave 377 


Secretary  Seward 364 

Secretary  Stanton's   Letter  ....  355 

Sergeant  Kernan 15 

Sergeant  Frye 69 

"  Shenandoah  " 155 

Sheridan  at  Five  Forks 223 

Sheridan's  Ride 226 

Shooting  Prisoners  .  .  ". 307 

Sixth  Massachusetts  Regiment  .  .   46 

Soldiers'  Prayer-meeting 334 

Somebody's  Darling 2S4 

South-Carolina  Victories 132 

Starved  to  Death 320 

T. 

Tale  of  1861 26 

The  Call  to  Arms 17 

Massachusetts  Soldier's  Wife  .  22 

Gloucester  Mother 46 


The  Marblehead  Woman 45 

Patriotic  Girl 47 

Brave  at  Home 51 

First  American  Flag  in  England  49 

Enlistment 53 

"Monitor"   .  .  .   s? 


"Monitor  "and  "Merrimack"   91 
"Cumberland"  ........   93 

"Congress"    .........   95 

"Whitehall"  .........  lOO 

"Cumberland"  Heroes.  .  .  .  104 

Sailor  .............  107 

"Clifton"  to  the  Rescue  ...  127 
Blowing-up  of  the  "  Westfleld"  130 
Hancock  Farmer  .......  202 

Blind  Soldier  .........  326 

Vermont  Soldier  .......  340 

President's  Office  .......  365 

Third  Ohio  ............  255 

Thomas  Starr  King  ........   47 

Thomas  F.  Power  .........  102 

Through  Baltimore  ........   24 

Tramp,  tramp,  tramp  .......  301 

Trumpet-song  ...........  209 

TJ. 

Ulric  Dahlgren  ..........  345 

Unalloyed  Patriotism  .......   66 


"W. 


Wabash" 
Weehawken 


Zagonyl 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


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151994 


